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THD and mucopexy vs ligasure

Posted , 3 users are following.

FAZ78
FAZ78

Hello everyone,

Firstly I would like to thank all the people who post on this forum - you provide invaluable knowledge and support to everyone reading your posts!

I am a 41 year old male living in the UK, generally healthy and physically active - I am a keen runner and on good months I clock over 100K. I have suffered from haemorrhoids for over a decade, and since 2016 things have been gradually getting worse. Back then, I had a flexible sigmoidoscopy followed by a consultation with a surgeon who strongly advised me against surgery; the surgeon based his advice on post operative pain, recovery time and possible complications such as faecal incontinence. I was told to live with the haemorrhoids and in essence trying to put up with pain and inconvenience they were causing me. I decided to follow his advice. Fast forward to 2020, and I am now in a position where I have a constant prolapse accompanied by a dull pain, itching, burning and a general feeling of discomfort. After a bowel movement, I have to lie down for hours until the pain and discomfort get better. I can't excercise as I used to, as even a light jog often make the prolapse worse causing a lot of pain.

In the last months I have seen two private surgeons, who have suggested different solutions. The first surgeon diagnosed an external haemorrhoid and two second-degree internal ones. He recommended a LigaSure haemorrhoidectomy, as a day procedure under general anaesthetic. A few weeks later, I visited my family in Italy and saw a local surgeon highly recommended by friends. He suggested THD surgery and mucopexy to resolve the prolapse, performed as a day procedure under a spinal block. He explained that THD is a less invasive method, resulting in reduced post-op pain and faster recovery. Needless to say, less pain and faster recovery appealed to me immediately however the procedure would be done in Italy - which in the current COVID situation is quite tricky. I thus researched surgeons who perform THD in the UK, and I found a doctor who seems to be very competent in the field. I managed to book an appointment as I am hoping to have the THD procedure done where I live, but in the meantime I would like to find out if anyone on this forum has had such procedure done and what their experience of THD/mucopexy was like. My main questions/concerns are:

  • Does THD mean a higher recurrence some time down the line? How effective is it in getting rid of the problem?
  • The surgeon in Italy was adamant it should be done under a spinal block, whereas the UK preference seems to be general anaesthetic; I'm dreading the idea of being put to sleep, so I would prefer the spinal injection. What's everyone's experience of both methods?
  • Is THD/mucopexy really better in terms of pain and recovery time?

Apologies for the long post, I hope some of you will read it and will be able to comment/answer.

Thank you again, and good luck to everyone going through a similar experience!

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • kyle2020
    kyle2020 FAZ78

    Posted

    My concern would be having to fly back home after this surgery. I have never heard of this method you are talking about, but how long is the pain supposed to last for after the surgery? Are you even going to be able to fly back home to the UK after you get the surgery in Italy, or will you be put up in a hotel (on your expense) for 2 weeks or so after the surgery?

    I'm not a doctor and am certainly in no place to give medical advice, but as someone who might have to get a hemorrhoidectomy surgery down the line, I would be VERY fearful of having to sit down on a plane and be in an airport so soon after the surgery. Unless you can sock away some money so a few weeks in a hotel after the surgery wouldn't set you back too much financially.

    • FAZ78
      FAZ78 kyle2020

      Edited

      Hi kyle2020,

      Thank you for your reply. The method I refer to is a relatively new one, I think it has been round since the mid-90s'. It's one of the least invasive haemorrhoids surgeries, as in there is no removal of any sort - no cutting hence no major wounds. As far as I understand, the surgeon finds the main blood vessels feeding the haems and puts a Z shaped stitch on them to stop the blood flow. If you have a prolapse, like in my case, they then stitch the back passage up in such a way that lifts everything so that the external haemorrhoid goes back in for good. The lack of blood supply means it will no longer be a problem, but they'll stay there as in essence they are a standard part of our body. Since there is no open wounds as such, the post op pain is much milder and the recovery time quicker.

      The good news is I found a surgeon who performs THD in London; I met him on Friday and I think I will go with him as he appeared to me like a sound option. Only problem is, I think I'll have to quarantine for two weeks before surgery due to Covid - I am in the process of checking with the private hospital.

      I'd say look into it if you are considering a surgical solution to your haemorrhoids.

      Good luck!

      Moderator comment: I have removed the link as users can easily find the information using a search engine (transanal haemorrhoid dearterialisation) rather than linking to a specific website. If users want the specific link use the Private Message service to exchange.

  • kim27506
    kim27506 FAZ78

    Posted

    Dear Faz78,

    I hope you are well. I have just found your post after looking for someone who may be in the same boat as me.

    I wonder if you would mind sharing your experience of the THD op - if indeed you dis go ahead with the surgery?

    thanks

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