Laser Treatment for Piles - Operation Process, Benefits & Recovery

Piles Diagnosis

In the case of external piles, the doctor can diagnose them with a physical inspection. However, in case of internal hemorrhoids, the proctologist will perform a digital examination to insert a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to check for abnormal growth. Additionally, to correctly diagnose internal piles, the surgeon may choose a proctoscope, an anoscope, or a sigmoidoscope to examine the lower rectum. 

Laser Surgical Treatment

Laser-assisted surgery for piles is one of the most efficient treatment methods. During the procedure, a focused narrow beam of light is used on hemorrhoid to ablate or shrink it without affecting the surrounding tissues. It is an advanced, minimally invasive procedure that aids the patient’s faster recovery.

There are two prominent treatments for piles – open operation and laser operation; in simple words, we can say that the former treatment for piles is traditional, whereas the latter is advanced.

Open Surgery

1. In an open surgery of piles, hemorrhoidal tissue is excised in the same manner as in a closed procedure, but the incision is left open in this procedure. Surgeons can opt for open hemorrhoidectomy when the location or the disease makes wound closure difficult, or the possibility of postoperative infection is high.
2. In open surgery for piles, local anesthesia is applied to the anal area, and the part around the sphincter muscles is sedated. Due to this, the patient doesn’t feel much pain.
3. During the treatment for piles, the surgeon makes a long cut to operate piles. They need to be meticulous in open surgery for piles, as other important muscles in that area should not be harmed.
4. The surgeon stitches the wound after the surgery, which takes time to heal.
5. The first two to three days are very unbearable after the surgery, as the procedure is very complex. 
6. There are two ways to let the wound heal; the first is to let it be open so it can heal by itself, and the second is to stitch the wound.
7. The recovery in open surgery takes around a week. The patient might have to stay in the hospital if there is any further bleeding or wound infection.

Laser Surgery

1. Laser surgery is the most advanced technique in healing hemorrhoids or piles. 
2. The patient is given general anesthesia during the procedure, and no pain is involved in the surgery. 
3. This technique is beneficial in treating higher grades or severe cases of hemorrhoids as it is an uncomplicated surgical procedure with minimal bleeding and recurrence of piles.
4. In this procedure, a fine laser beam removes the tissue, and the surrounding healthy tissues remain unaffected. 
5. It is a 30-minute daycare procedure, and the patient can go home the same day after the surgery.
6. The post-surgery complications are negligible in this minimally invasive procedure to treat piles. The patient can resume normal activities after 2-3 days but must avoid strenuous work. 

The recovery from piles laser operation may differ for individuals. However, it takes about 30-45 days to recover completely.  

You must also keep in mind the following:

• First, ensure that you keep the surgery site clean to avoid infection.
• Take sitz bath regularly.
• Avoid lifting heavy weights as that adds additional strain to the surgical site.
• Eat meals that are nutritious and high in fiber content. Avoid oily and spicy foods.
• To ensure you are hydrated, drink at least 8-10 glasses of water every day. 
• Do not strain yourself during your bowel movement.
• If your bowel movements are hard, consider taking stool softeners to alleviate the strain (only after consulting the doctor).
• Be diligent about taking medications and applying ointments/creams prescribed by your doctor.

The following are the benefits of piles laser surgery treatment:

• Minimal Bleeding & Pain: There is minimal blood loss during laser surgery and reduced pain post-surgery since the laser only targets a specific area.
• Improved Precision: Laser surgery imparts precision by targeting smaller areas without damaging the surrounding tissues.
• Day Care Surgery: Piles laser surgery is a day care surgery, i.e., you will be discharged the same day unless the doctor deems otherwise.
• Shorter Recovery Time: Since it is a minimally invasive procedure, the recovery time is much lesser.

There are two main types of piles – internal piles, i.e., piles that form inside the rectum, and external piles, i.e., piles that form underneath the skin around the anus. Both internal and external piles can prolapse.

Internal hemorrhoids are further divided into 4 grades: 

• Grade 1: The piles are minor inflammations that do not cause symptoms. This type does not protrude out of the anus. Treatment includes dietary changes and medications such as over-the-counter, corticosteroids, or stool softeners.
• Grade 2: These piles may prolapse from the anus while passing stool but will return inside independently. Treatment for this type includes the treatment for Grade 1 hemorrhoids and may extend to non-surgical treatments such as rubber band ligation.
• Grade 3: These hemorrhoids are prolapsed and only recede inside with manual insertion. Treatment includes surgical intervention and medications.
• Grade 4: These hemorrhoids prolapse outside the anus and cannot be pushed back in. They are the most painful and require surgery. 

External Hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids are the first thing people think of when they hear the word hemorrhoids. These are visible lumps that form on the skin around the anus. They are similar to internal hemorrhoids in terms of symptoms, except that internal hemorrhoids are located inside the rectum. However, because external hemorrhoids are formed outside of the body, symptoms like pain are more unbearable. For some people, the symptoms of external hemorrhoids can disrupt daily activities like sitting, doing physical activities, or during bowel movements.

External hemorrhoids often go away within a few days or weeks as the body reabsorbs the blood clot within the protruding blood vessel. However, in severe cases, healthcare professionals may recommend surgical removal.

Thrombosed Hemorrhoids

A thrombosed hemorrhoid is an internal or external hemorrhoid in which a blood clot, called a thrombus, is created. Being a serious complication of untreated hemorrhoids, thrombosed hemorrhoids cause more severe symptoms, like intense pain, burning, redness, and swelling.

While not a life-threatening condition, thrombosed hemorrhoids require immediate medical attention. Its primary treatment is a surgical procedure known as a thrombectomy, where the blood clot within the hemorrhoid is cut and drained. A thrombectomy differs from a hemorrhoidectomy or piles surgery, which is a surgery to remove hemorrhoids.

If you’re suffering from piles, it is advised that you must visit a proctologist and seek treatment as soon as possible. While home remedies and medication may help manage Grade 1 and Grade 2 piles, surgical intervention may be required in Grade 3 & 4 . If piles are not given adequate medical attention, it can give rise to the following complications for a patient:

• Prolapse: If piles are left untreated for long, they may become prolapsed and cause discomfort, bleeding, and itching. They can also interfere with sitting, passing stool, and daily life.  
• Strangulated Piles: When piles become strangulated, the blood supply to those tissues is cut off. Due to this, the person might experience venous thrombosis within the piles, which may cause severe pain and make the treatment complex. 
• Anemia: As untreated piles grow in size, they may cause blood loss along with stool. The constant blood loss may make the person anemic, which may further cause other health complications.
• Infection: Bacteria can get into bleeding hemorrhoids and infect the tissue. Untreated infections can sometimes cause serious complications, like tissue death, abscesses, and fever.

38-year-old Rohit from Bangalore had suffered Stage 3 hemorrhoids for 10 years. Chronic constipation exacerbated his condition, and he realized he would need surgery to treat his piles. 

He researched online and contacted Pristyn Care. After a discussion with his medical care coordinator, his appointment with Dr Venkata Mukunda was scheduled. Rohit’s appointment was informative. Dr Venkata Mukunda patiently listened to him and cleared his doubts. As a result, Rohit decided to go ahead with laser surgery. 

On the day of his surgery, the medical care coordinator took care of his admission formalities, and the insurance team assisted in the insurance approval. Pristyn Care also ensured a free cab service to and from the surgery for Rohit. He was relieved that he didn’t need to run around to finish everything in time. The surgery went smoothly, and Rohit was discharged the same day.

Rohit recovered completely after his surgery as he followed the post-surgery instructions given by Dr. Mukunda. His experience with Pristyn Care was excellent, and he felt well supported throughout his treatment journey.

Piles laser treatment cost can be different for each individual. The minimum cost of this surgery is around Rs. 60,000, which can go up to Rs. 1,15,000. The variation in the cost of this surgery can be attributed to various factors, consisting of but not limited to the following:

• Fees of the Proctologist
  
• Fees of the anesthetist
  
• Cost of anesthesia
  
• Location of the hospital
  
• Type of hospital (government/private)
  
• Cost of preoperative tests
  
• Charges of medicines

In most cases, piles surgery is covered under health insurance as it is a symptomatic condition. It’s advised to talk to the insurance providers to learn about the terms and conditions of the policy.