A haemorrhoidectomy is a procedure to remove haemorrhoids (also known as piles). Haemorrhoids or piles are enlarged, congested blood vessels, just under the surface of your anus (the opening of your bowel). This can cause discomfort, pain and bleeding, especially when the blood vessels protrude out of the anus, or if a blood clot forms inside a pile.
Risk factors for haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoids are present in everyone, but they are only considered abnormal when the haemorrhoidal vessels bleed or become enlarged.
In Singapore, 1 in 3 people suffer from haemorrhoids. It is especially common in those over the age of 40 and during pregnancy.
Risk factors that contribute to the development of haemorrhoids include:
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Low-fibre diet or an excessively high-fibre diet
- Poor toilet habits such as overstraining or sitting on the toilet bowl for long periods of time, which places increasing pressure on the haemorrhoids
- Obesity
- Family history
Surgery to remove haemorrhoids can be performed using different methods. This may involve cutting the haemorrhoids off with an electric blade, or stapling or sealing them off with a laser beam or an infrared light.
Your surgeon will recommend method best suited for your condition.