Patients report less pain with new hemorrhoid procedure

Surgery Services at
Pattie A. Clay

General surgery

Orthopaedic

OB/GYN

Urology

Gastroenterology

Plastic Surgery

By Jo Helen Cloys RN, MA Ed
Director of Patient and Community relations

More than 525,000 patients are treated annually for symptomatic hemorrhoids.  Of these approximately10 to 20 per cent will require surgical treatment of their condition.  Many people suffer with hemorrhoids rather endure the pain of surgery.  However, there is a new procedure called PPH that offers patients an alternative to traditional procedures.

Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center is one of the first rural hospitals in the region to offer this less painful alternative and Dr. Hameed Koury, a general surgeon, has been one of the leaders in introducing the procedure and training other surgeons at Pattie A. Clay.  “I’m very excited about being able to offer this alternative,” says Koury.  “I find that my patients experience less pain as compared to conventional techniques and are able to return quickly to their normal activities,” he adds.

What are Hemorrhoids and Prolapse?

Hemorrhoids are natural vascular tissue found in the anal canal.  It is believed that their main function is to protect and cushion the anal canal.  The term prolapse refers to the condition when the hemorrhoid tissue enlarges and descends downward into the canal.  Prolapse of the hemrroidal tissue, known as ‘piles,’ is a very common condition, particularly in people over the age of 50. 

What is the cause?

A number of factors contribute to hemorroidal disease; constipation with prolonged straining and pregnancy are two of the most common causes.  With aging, the muscles that support the rectum weaken and help contribute to the prolapse.  When this happens it is often accompanied by bleeding and pain.

How is the condition treated?

In many cases hemorroidal disease can be treated by non-surgical methods.  These include dietary modifications, topical medications and soaking in warm water, which temporarily reduces symptoms of pain and swelling.  In some cases these steps will be enough to eliminate the need for further treatment.  In a certain number of other cases, however, surgical procedures are necessary to provide satisfactory, long- term relief.

Current treatment options

For patients with a lesser degree of prolapse, Rubber Band Ligation is currently the most widely used procedure in the United States for treatment of internal hemorrhoids.  In this procedure, rubber bands are placed around the tissue and over time, the tissue dies-off.  In cases involving a greater degree of prolapse, a variety of operative techniques are used.  The drawback to these procedures has been the amount of post-operative pain a patient experiences.

PPH – Procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids

PPH is a technique that reduces the prolapse of hemorrhoidal tissue by excising a band of the prolapsed anal mucosa membrane with the use of a circular stapling device.  In PPH the prolapsed tissue is pulled into a device that allows the excess tissue to be removed while the remaining hemorrhoidal tissue is stapled. This restores the tissue back to its original anatomical position.

1/04

Back to Newsroom