II. Indications
- Thrombosed External Hemorrhoid
- No benefit if >72 hours from onset of thrombosis
- Thrombosis Hemorrhoid will resolve spontaneously
III. Contraindications
- Bleeding Disorder or Anticoagulation (relative contraindication)
- Overlying infection
- Immunodeficiency
- Internal Hemorrhoid
IV. Efficacy
- Improves short-term pain control
- Reduces risk of complication (e.g. appendageal Skin Tag formation)
V. Management: Preparation
- Patient positioning
- Left lateral decubitus position
- Assistant spreads patient's buttocks
- Confirm Thrombosed External Hemorrhoid
- External Hemorrhoids have squamous cell covering (Internal Hemorrhoids are covered in mucosa)
- Thrombosed Hemorrhoid is firm to palpation and typically have a purple hue
- Prepare perianal skin
- Topical Povidone-Iodine (Betadine) applied
-
Anesthesia
- Avoid multiple injection sites (heavier bleeding)
- Consider Topical Anesthetic pre-medication before injection
- LET, LMX or ELA-Max
- Lidocaine 2% jelly applied to anal canal
-
Local Anesthetic injection
- Inject 5 cc Lidocaine 1% with or without Epinephrine into Thrombosed Hemorrhoid
- Post-Epinephrine late heavy bleeding may occur
-
Anoscopy
- Assess for other perianal pathologic findings
VI. Management: Hemorrhoidectomy
- Repeat perianal Skin Preparation with Betadine
- Confirm adequate Anesthesia
- Make radial incision over Thrombosed Hemorrhoid
- Extends from anal skin to distal edge of thrombosis
- Avoid circumferential incision (use radial only)
- Create eliptical incision (not linear)
- Consider using straight clamp placed below clot
- Use 15 blade or iris scissors to make incision
- Do not cut into underlying Muscle sphincter
- Avoid excessive cautery use (risk of scarring)
- Remove clot from incision
- Gently express thrombus from Hemorrhoid
- Examine wound for residual clots and remove with forceps
- Optional: Close skin with subcutaneous Suture (not routinely performed)
- Leave the excised Hemorrhoid open (not Sutured) in most cases
- May consider if increased bleeding risk
- Skin closure reduces bleeding without infection risk
- Place several interrupted buried Sutures (4-0 Vicryl)
- Sutures should not protrude through skin
- Bandage
- Apply Topical Antibiotic (e.g. Bacitracin)
- Apply 4x4 gauze
VII. Management: Post-Procedure Instructions
- Follow-up at 4-6 weeks
- Maintain soft stools (e.g. Colace, maximize hydration)
- See Hemorrhoid Management for general measures (e.g. Sitz bath)
VIII. Complications
- Late heavy bleeding (when patient is at home)
- Higher risk if Epinephrine used in Local Anesthetic
- Educate patient to apply direct pressure with gauze
- If patient returns for additional Hemostasis needed
- Inject Lidocaine with Epinephrine
- Silver Nitrate or hand held cautery for isolated source
- Surgicel
- Peri-anal Scarring
- Associated with excessive cautery use
- Anal stenosis (rare)
- Associated with circumferential incision
- Excision of other lesion (misdiagnosed as a Thrombosed Hemorrhoid)
IX. References
- Warrington (2018) Crit Dec Emerg Med 32(10):14
- Zainea in Pfenninger (1994) Procedures, p. 950-3
- Hussain (1999) Prim Care 26(1):35-51 [PubMed]
- Zuber (2002) Am Fam Physician 65(8):1629-42 [PubMed]