Overview
A hemorrhoidectomy is a surgical procedure that is used remove hemorrhoids that have become too large or problematic to treat with diet and lifestyle changes, pharmaceutical treatments, and non-surgical outpatient procedures.
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VOCABULARY
hemorrhoidectomy
- Noun Surgery to remove internal or external hemorrhoids that are extensive or severe.
There are different types of hemorrhoidectomies, with the most common being traditional excisional surgery, laser excision, and stapled hemorrhoidopexy. The type of surgery selected will depend on the severity and location of the hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoidectomy may become necessary if you experience:
- Severe and persistent pain that doesn’t respond to other treatments.
- Bleeding that doesn’t stop or keeps recurring.
- Prolapsed hemorrhoids that protrude from the anus and cause discomfort.
- Chronic thrombosis (blood clots) that don’t resolve on their own.

Figure 1.1: Prolapsed Grade IV Hemorrhoid
Grade IV hemorrhoids constantly prolapse from the anus and are unlikely to stay within the body when pushed in manually.
Surgery is often the last and only effective option for heavily symptomatic Grade III and IV hemorrhoids. Fisters with these grades of hemorrhoids may experience pain, bleeding, bowel incontinence, and difficulty sitting, douching and bottoming. If possible, fisters should seek the care of a proctologist before reaching Grade III and IV to allow for less invasive treatments.