This condition, characterized by the inflammation of the vascular cushions in the anal canal, can cause bleeding, itching, pain, and prolapse, significantly impacting quality of life. According to the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians (SEMERGEN), an estimated 11% of the Spanish population suffers from hemorrhoids with varying degrees of severity. Factors such as pregnancy, constipation, sedentary lifestyle, and an inadequate diet contribute to their onset.
“"Hemorrhoids should not be a taboo. In many cases, lifestyle changes and conservative treatments can alleviate symptoms, but when these are not enough, we have effective surgical solutions and less invasive approaches that improve patient recovery and well-being."
Dr. Belén Merck, a general and digestive system surgeon at Vithas Valencia 9 de Octubre Hospital, emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach. She highlights that specialists are incorporating advanced methods to treat hemorrhoidal disease, adapting to each patient's severity and individual characteristics. Among these innovations, she mentions the transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization with hemorrhoidal tissue lifting (THD Anolift) technique.
This minimally invasive technique, guided by Doppler, allows for the identification and ligation of the hemorrhoidal arteries responsible for bleeding and prolapse without the need for extensive cuts or open wounds. This results in a significant reduction in postoperative pain and a notable acceleration of patient recovery. Dr. Merck points out that these technological innovations allow for adapting treatment to the type and degree of hemorrhoids, offering effective alternatives that minimize the impact of the intervention and improve quality of life, especially in cases of persistent or recurrent symptoms.
Surgery is recommended when conservative and outpatient treatments fail to alleviate intense bleeding, frequent pain, or significant prolapse, always after a thorough clinical evaluation. These new techniques represent a significant advance over classic hemorrhoidectomy, which, although effective, usually involves more painful postoperative recovery and a slower healing process. The main objective is to provide the patient with the most effective treatment with the least possible impact.
