Proctology
Proctology procedures
Treatment of conditions of the anus and rectum, haemorrhoids, anal fissures, fistulas and pilonidal sinus disease. These are common, very treatable, and frequently go unreported because people find them embarrassing.
Who it is for
- Haemorrhoids that have not settled with conservative measures
- Anal fissure causing persistent pain or bleeding
- Anal fistula
- Pilonidal sinus disease
What to expect
Assessment first, because rectal bleeding should never be assumed to be haemorrhoids, other conditions including bowel cancer can present identically.
Treatment depends entirely on the condition and its severity, and many cases are managed without an operation.
Recovery
Varies considerably by procedure. Your surgeon will explain what to expect for the specific treatment recommended.
Risks and possible complications
Every operation carries risk, and the list below is general rather than complete. Which of these matter for you depends on your health, your anatomy and what is being treated, which is what the consent conversation before surgery is for.
- Pain after the procedure, which can be significant for several days in anal surgery
- Bleeding, which is usually minor but occasionally needs attention
- Difficulty passing urine shortly after surgery
- Narrowing of the anal canal, or a wound that is slow to heal
- Disturbance of continence, which is uncommon but is the risk patients most want to know about
No surgeon can promise a particular result, and nothing on this page should be read as one.
Still not sure whether it needs looking at?
Most breast changes turn out to be benign. Working out which ones are is what an assessment is for, and the guides here explain what that involves before you go.