Grade 4 Piles Treatment - Causes, Symptoms, and Surgery

What Happens In Grade 4 Piles Treatment?

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is the foremost and one of the most crucial steps of piles treatment. Doctors conduct a comprehensive assessment of the anorectal region to examine the severity of the condition and rule out potential complications. In general, the diagnostic approach for grade 4 piles involves conducting the following tests: 

• Physical examination: The doctor begins a physical examination for grade 4 piles by asking you about the symptoms you’re experiencing- pain, itching, bleeding, etc., and your lifestyle habits that may have caused the condition. After this, the doctor performs a physical assessment of the anorectal region to check the extent of condition and look for other abnormalities. A physical examination is generally considered just enough to diagnose grade 4 piles. In the case of grade 1, 2, and 3 piles, other examinations, including digital examination and colonoscopy, might also be required. 

Based on the findings of the physical examination, the doctors lay out the best treatment plan for the patient. 

Treatment 

The following treatment options are available for grade 4 piles:

• Hemorrhoidectomy: This is the traditional, open method of piles surgery performed under anaesthesia. In this surgery, doctors make small cuts around the anus to remove the haemorrhoids. The incisions are then closed with stitches. This procedure generally has a long recovery period, and recovery generally takes a couple of weeks. Pain and mild discomfort are common after hemorrhoidectomy and can be managed with pain-relieving medicines prescribed by the doctor. You might also have to take stool softeners. 
• Laser Surgery For Grade 4 piles: With the advancement in technology, doctors now use laser surgery to treat severe grade 4 piles. In laser piles surgery, a specialised laser fibre is inserted into the haemorrhoid. Then, pulses of intense light are targeted on the blood vessels of the haemorrhoid, which coagulates them. This cuts the blood supply to the Piles tissue and causes the haemorrhoid to shrink and fall off. Laser piles surgery has recently become the preferred grade 4 piles treatment method as it causes minimal discomfort and has a much shorter recovery period. 

How to Prepare for Laser Piles Surgery

Here’s how you can prepare for your Piles surgery:

• Inform the doctor about all the medicines you’re taking. Before the surgery, you might have to avoid some medications, such as blood thinners.
• Do not eat anything for at least 8 hours before the surgery, as it can cause complications with anaesthesia.
• If you’re allergic to anaesthesia, inform your doctor beforehand. 
• If you have any apprehensions about laser piles surgery, discuss them with your doctor beforehand. Doing so will keep you calm during the procedure. 

Recovery after laser piles surgery

The recovery period of laser piles surgery is much shorter than with traditional laser surgeries. The surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, and the patients can return home the same day. Most patients can resume their daily activities within 2 to 3 days of the surgery, with some precautions. The risk of complications after laser piles surgery is quite low as compared to open surgery for piles. Here are some tips that can help you further reduce the risk of complications and recover quickly: 

1. Do not strain during bowel movements. 
2. Take a shower or sitz bath after your bowel movement. 
3. Make sure you eat a fibre-rich diet, and consume lots of fluids. 
4. Do not wipe your anal region harshly. You can use baby wipes to clean the area. 
5. Make sure you take prescribed medicines (if any) on time. 
6. Avoid vigorous exercise for a few days after surgery.