Hemorrhoids, commonly known as piles, are a condition that occurs at the end of the rectum, the last part of the digestive system, when the small blood vessels in the anal canal dilate and pressure increases. As the veins widen and swell, they cause discomfort to the patient, and symptoms such as itching and bleeding may occur. Many factors, such as constipation, a sedentary lifestyle and genetic predisposition, can contribute to the development of hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids come in different types, such as internal hemorrhoids, external hemorrhoids and thrombosed hemorrhoids. The treatment protocol is determined by a specialist physician according to the patient's condition and the type of hemorrhoid. Early diagnosis is important for definitive treatment. Hemorrhoid treatment usually begins with drug therapy in the first instance. If the disease is at an advanced stage, the physician may prefer surgical intervention.
Thanks to today's developing medical technologies, many new surgical procedures and drug treatments have emerged. Hemorrhoid doppler surgery is a surgical method that is successfully performed even in patients with serious complications.
What Is Hemorrhoid Doppler Surgery?
Hemorrhoid doppler surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that, with the help of anoscope and doppler ultrasound device technologies, can locate the site of the hemorrhoid and detect the vessels that supply it. This method, which is not preferred in every patient, is chosen for internal and external hemorrhoids depending on the patient's condition. Internal hemorrhoid appears as a protrusion consisting of dilated small blood vessels in the inner part of the anus. It can cause blood loss at a level that leads to anemia during defecation. With hemorrhoid doppler surgery, bleeding and pain symptoms are greatly reduced.
It is especially helpful in the complete identification of the vessels that need to be ligated in internal hemorrhoids. During the operation, the part of the ultrasound device called the doppler probe is placed inside the anus, and the small blood vessels and blood flow are examined in detail. In this way, the small blood vessels that supply the hemorrhoidal tissue are accurately identified. The identified vessels are ligated with sutures (ligation), which cuts off the blood flow. As a result, the hemorrhoid shrinks. The shrunken hemorrhoidal nodes are then excised, under conditions deemed necessary by the physician, using the “plastic band” or “laser” method.
What Are the Advantages of Hemorrhoid Doppler Surgery?
It can be said that hemorrhoid doppler surgery carries a lower risk of complications compared with other surgeries. The reason for this is that it is a minimally invasive treatment method. This method is used in many surgical operations today. The aim of the minimally invasive method is to reach the targeted tissue while keeping the operative field to a minimum. In this way, the area that needs to heal is reduced. Because the procedure is performed without large incisions, as in other methods, it causes less pain. In addition, the healing process after the operation is faster. After hemorrhoid doppler surgery, individuals experience a reduction in complaints such as bleeding and pain, and recovery is observed.
What Are the Indications for Hemorrhoid Doppler Surgery?
Hemorrhoid doppler surgery can be preferred for the treatment of internal and external hemorrhoids. It can be added to the treatment protocol especially in the following situations:
Advanced stage of internal hemorrhoids: Successful results can be achieved in the treatment of stage 2 hemorrhoids. When success cannot be achieved with other preferred treatment methods, this method can readily be preferred.
Non-response to conservative treatment methods: If internal hemorrhoid has only recently started to develop, dietary and lifestyle changes may be recommended in the first instance. Since constipation is among the most important causes of hemorrhoids, it is important to follow a high-fiber diet and to prefer different exercise methods to avoid prolonged sitting. In such cases, if recovery cannot be achieved, hemorrhoid doppler surgery may be considered before the hemorrhoid progresses.
Bleeding hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoid doppler surgery may be preferred for internal and external hemorrhoids that regularly cause bleeding. To reduce blood loss from bleeding hemorrhoids, the minimally invasive surgical method, which is a less risky treatment option, may be an appropriate choice. The specialist physician makes an objective decision on the surgical method according to the patient's condition. For this reason, a detailed examination should be performed first.
How Is the Recovery Process After Hemorrhoid Doppler Surgery?
After hemorrhoid doppler surgery, the patient should be followed for a period of time. The recovery process may vary from patient to patient depending on factors such as the operated area and the patient's condition. It is important to follow certain rules for a period after the operation. The general points to pay attention to during this process are as follows:
First Days After the Operation: In the early period after surgery, the patient should rest. Although it varies from person to person, several days may be needed to return to routine life. This process should be monitored regularly by the physician, and possible complications should be followed. It is normal to have bleeding and mild pain in the first days.
Wound Healing Time: The healing process is usually completed a few weeks after hemorrhoid doppler surgery. During this period, the wound area should be checked regularly by a specialist physician. It is important that the wound is kept under hygienic conditions for healing to be fast. After defecation, the patient can clean the area with lukewarm water. If the patient has constipation, following certain dietary and lifestyle rules is important to prevent bleeding.
Dietary Rules: After hemorrhoid doppler surgery, it is important for the patient to adjust their diet. Constipation should be prevented by meeting the daily amounts of fiber and water required. A dietitian may be consulted for this.
Complications: Although the risk is low, as with any surgical operation, some complications may develop after hemorrhoid doppler surgery. Possible complications include suture dehiscence, anesthesia-related complications, infection and bleeding. For this reason, the patient should be closely monitored throughout the healing process, and proper patient-physician communication should be ensured.
It can be said that hemorrhoid doppler surgery carries a low risk compared with many hemorrhoid operations. However, the recovery process after surgery may vary from patient to patient. For this reason, individualized treatment and follow-up protocols are applied. During this process, it is important for your recovery that you follow your physician's warnings and instructions exactly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Hemorrhoid doppler surgery is a safe procedure performed by operating surgeons. Some of the frequently asked questions about what may be of concern during surgery and what to pay attention to after surgery are provided below. Before hemorrhoid doppler surgery, the patient is given an enema. After the enema, the surgical procedure usually lasts less than 30 minutes. The patient's clinical condition and the area to be operated on are the main factors that determine the duration of surgery. For this reason, the duration may vary. Unlike many surgical methods, no incision is made during hemorrhoid doppler surgery, so pain during the recovery period is less. In some patients, no pain may occur at all. If there is pain, the physician should check whether there is a complication causing it. Although it is a method preferred first by physicians because it is minimally invasive, it may not be suitable for every patient. It is an actively preferred method for the treatment of internal and external hemorrhoids. Doppler devices are generally used to make more definitive identifications in internal hemorrhoids. Doppler surgery gives very successful results in the treatment of stage 2 hemorrhoids. The recovery process after hemorrhoid doppler surgery varies from person to person. To prevent complications such as bleeding and infection, the patient may need to rest completely for a few days. Afterwards, routine daily activities can be gradually resumed. Usually, the patient fully recovers after a few weeks. If hemorrhoids are not treated, they are a condition that can lead to cancer. For hemorrhoids that have become cancerous, a different treatment protocol developed jointly with an oncology specialist is applied. The suitability for hemorrhoid doppler surgery is determined according to the patient during examination. After treatment, to prevent the hemorrhoid from recurring, the individual should adopt a lifestyle that prevents constipation. They should take in sufficient fiber and fluids. This can be achieved by consuming raw and cooked vegetables in daily specific portions, dried legumes two to three days a week, fruits high in daily fiber, and carbohydrate sources with a low glycemic index, while controlling portion sizes. In addition to diet adjustments, the individual should adopt an active lifestyle and avoid straining and stress. After hemorrhoid doppler surgery, if the patient follows the necessary precautions, a hemorrhoid requiring repeat surgery will not develop. After hemorrhoid doppler surgery, some complications may occur, such as opening of the wound area, bleeding, infection due to the area not being kept clean, and anesthesia-related complications. General anesthesia is preferred during surgery. Although the operation is short, the patient usually needs to stay in the hospital for the first day. During pregnancy, the baby is connected to the mother by the umbilical cord. It receives the nutrients it needs for growth from the mother. A procedure performed on the mother's body can also affect the baby. In addition, among the complications that may develop after hemorrhoid doppler surgery is bleeding. This may cause depletion of the iron stores that the mother and the baby need. Surgical operations other than emergencies are postponed until after delivery. Please do not neglect to have your routine check-ups and to consult a healthcare facility for any health problem you may have.
