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Surgery and Health

Hemorrhoids, infection, relief

The 90 Percent Solution For Hemorrhoids

By Dr. W. Gifford Jones

January 17, 1999

"Could I have prevented this problem?" a patient recently asked me. She had had surgery to treat hemorrhoids. But too much tissue had been removed by the scalpel. Now the rectal opening was too small causing difficult and painful bowel movements. A simple rubber©band could have prevented this complication.

Historians have speculated that Napoleon might have won the Battle of Waterloo if he hadn't been suffering from hemorrhoids. But even when you're not astride a horse it's hard to concentrate if you have painful piles.

Dr. Eugene Salvati, Professor of Surgery at The Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey, recently addressed the annual meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. His message 90 percent of hemorrhoids can be treated without surgery by the rubber band technique.

This is great news for patients who procrastinate about having hemorrhoid surgery for fear of pain. It takes about a minute to place a rubber©band at the base of the hemorrhoid. The procedure is easy and practically painless as there are no nerve endings to cut or burn inside the rectum.

Several years ago I reported on another technique used by Dr Warren Rudd in Toronto. He also places a tiny band over the neck of the hemorrhoid and then freezes it using nitrous oxide.

The rubber band in both cases shuts off the blood supply to the hemorrhoid. Several days later the rubber band and the pile drop off. This leaves a raw area that takes two to three weeks to heal. Most patients require one or two more visits to destroy remaining hemorrhoidal tissue.

Dr Salvati has removed 45,000 hemorrhoids this way. Prior to treatment the majority of patients complained of bleeding or protrusion.

This technique is effective in 90 percent of cases. But if hemorrhoids are large, protrude and cannot be pushed back surgery is required.

The most common complication is a small blood clot occuring at the anal area. This happens in about three percent of cases and normally subsides with time and warm compresses. If the clot is large a small incision is made to remove it. Dr Rudd claims that significant post©operative bleeding is rare. It occurs once in several thousand cases. But this may also occur after the surgical treatment of piles. The best way to prevent piles is to eat a high fiber diet. This results in bulky, soft stools which avoids straining with bowel movements.

But people who believe they're suffering from hemorrhoids should always ask the question, "Am I actually suffering from hemorrhoids?" Some patients undergo a hemorrhoidectomy and yet their discomfort continues.

These patients may be afflicted with a common, but often overlooked condition called "Anusitis". It's an inflamed area just inside the anus. Relief for this annoyance may be as close as the refrigerator.

Anusitis causes a small amount of discharge around the anal area. This constant wetness macerates the skin causing multiple tiny cracks which trigger itching.

Patients also complain of a burning sensation inside and outside the anus. There's no swelling, but blood is often found on toilet paper and occasionally bleeding occurs. Inserting a finger into the anus causes pain.

There's nothing new about the use of cold temperature (cryosurgery) to relieve swelling and pain in sports injuries. But now it can also be used for treating anusitis.

"Anurex" is a reusable probe containing a cold jel. It's inserted into the rectum like a rectal suppository after being cooled in the refrigerator's freezer for a minimum of one hour. The probe is left in the rectum for six minutes, removed, washed and placed back in the freezer.

How often can the probe be used? Dr Rudd says it can be used every hour because it's safe. But in most instances it should be used twice a day for two weeks. Then once daily for another two weeks. Patients can then use it as needed.

It's not enjoyable having a cold probe inserted into the rectum. But it has a great track record of helping patients suffering from anusitis.

In a series of 220 patients 90 percent were relieved of itching and burning within one to two days. And it also helps those who complain of "leakage that stains my underwear."

Small wonder that some patients call Anurex their "magic wand". But always check with your doctor when rectal bleeding occurs. Never assume it's due to hemorrhoids. This can be a fatal error if early malignancy is present.


W. Gifford-Jones M.D is the pen name of Dr. Ken Walker graduate of Harvard. Dr. Walker's website is: Docgiff.com

My book, �90 + How I Got There� can be obtained by sending $19.95 to:

Giff Holdings, 525 Balliol St, Unit # 6,Toronto, Ontario, M4S 1E1

Pre-2008 articles by Gifford Jones
Canada Free Press, CFP Editor Judi McLeod