HAEMORRHOIDS/
PILES SURGERY

WHAT ARE PILES OR HAEMORRHOIDS?

Haemorrhoids or piles are swollen veins that form in the anus or lower rectum. It is a very common condition, with 1 in 3 people in Singapore suffering from it. Haemorrhoids are also one of the most frequent causes of rectal bleeding, though symptoms are not always obvious. Some haemorrhoids go away on their own, but others may require treatment for haemorrhoids in Singapore, depending on the type and severity.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES & RISK FACTORS OF HAEMORRHOIDS/PILES?

• Overstraining during bowel movements
• Prolonged sitting on the toilet
• Chronic constipation and diarrhoea
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Regularly lifting heavy objects

Consulting a haemorrhoids doctor in Singapore can help identify the cause of one’s haemorrhoids and reduce the risk of developing them in the future.

WHAT ARE COMMON SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF PILES?

• Lump or swelling around the anus
• Pain in the anal region
• Itching or irritation around the anus
• Pain when passing a stool
• Faecal leakage
• Rectal bleeding

Haemorrhoids can be very uncomfortable. Should you experience any symptoms, make sure to seek prompt haemorrhoids treatment from a piles doctor in Singapore.

HOW TO DIAGNOSE PILES?

A visual examination may be enough to diagnose external haemorrhoids. Internal haemorrhoids, on the other hand, may require further examinations such as:

• Digital Examination – The piles surgeon will gently insert a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum. If anything feels unusual, he or she may recommend additional tests.
• Visual Inspection – An anoscope, proctoscope or sigmoidoscope may be used to examine the lower portion of the colon and rectum to identify internal haemorrhoids.

WHAT ARE THE AVAILABLE TREATMENTS FOR PILES?

• Non-Surgical Procedures:

  • Banding

    – Known as rubber band ligation, banding involves placing a tight band at the base of a haemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply.

  • Sclerotherapy

    – This piles treatment involves injecting medicine into the haemorrhoid, causing it to shrink and the rectal bleeding to stop.

  • Coagulation therapy

    – This piles treatment uses infrared light to retract and shrink the haemorrhoids.

  • Haemorrhoidal artery ligation

    – This is also called a transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD). Using an ultrasound, the blood vessels that cause the haemorrhoid are located and closed off.

• Surgical Procedures:

  • Haemorrhoidectomy

    – In more severe cases, this haemorrhoid treatment is recommended. Here, the haemorrhoids surgeon makes small incisions around the anus before excising the haemorrhoids.

  • Haemorrhoidopexy

    – This form of Singapore piles surgery is sometimes called “stapling”. The piles surgeon uses a surgical staple to reposition the prolapsed haemorrhoid back to its rightful position inside the rectum and block its blood supply, resulting in the haemorrhoid shrinking and becoming reabsorbed by the body.

WHAT IS THE RECOVERY LIKE AFTER PILES SURGERY?

The recovery period varies from person to person, but usually takes a few weeks. You may be given pain medication to alleviate post-operative discomfort. Complications are rare, but seek immediate medical attention should you experience heavy bleeding, fever and chills. Dr Chong Chee Keong is experienced in the treatment of haemorrhoids and piles. For consultations, contact our specialist at 6355 5285 today.