Haemorrhoids and Their Management – patient information to assist informed consent
This RACS patient education pamphlet provides information on the surgical treatment of haemorrhoids. The topics discussed include:
- Internal haemorrhoids and external haemorrhoids
- Signs, symptoms and diagnosis
- Causes of haemorrhoids (such as pregnancy and childbirth, obesity, and constipation)
Non-surgical treatment options are discussed for patients that may have small haemorrhoids, which can be treated without surgery. Such options include salt baths, ice packs and haemorrhoidal creams.
This leaflet can be a useful tool for patients considering undergoing surgical treatment as the benefits, risks and limitations of surgery are discussed in detail. The surgical methods described are:
- Injection sclerotherapy
- Rubber band ligation
- Surgical excision (haemorrhoidectomy)
- Stapled haemorrhoidectomy
- THD (transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialisation)
The possible complications of surgery are listed on page 4 to assist the informed-consent process.
Mi-tec publishes 31 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons patient information brochures. The management of haemorrhoids is described in plain English to assist the patients’ understanding of health information and to help patients make informed decisions. The RACS patient information brochures are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.