The rectum is home to a variety of often unpleasant diseases, including external and internal hemorrhoids, fissures, and fistulas, with more serious conditions like polyps and tumors. Each of these conditions requires a different treatment approach. The following lines will outline the usual examination procedures and hopefully help you overcome the natural apprehension regarding these examinations.
1. The doctor will discuss your symptoms in detail, focusing on the frequency of bowel movements, the characteristics of the stool, and so on.
2. Next, an abdominal examination is performed while lying on your back—painful areas in the abdomen are identified, as well as the position and size of individual abdominal organs, and so on.
3. The actual examination of the rectum is performed while kneeling on your knees, leaning on your elbows (forearms). The doctor first examines the area around the rectum and then examines it with a gloved finger.
4. If the previous procedure is painless, anoscopy is performed, which is the examination of the rectum using a short plastic tube with a light source.
5. The next steps vary depending on the findings— the doctor may indicate further supplementary examinations (such as X-rays, endoscopic exams, etc.) or proceed directly to treatment based on the specific conditions.
“Varicose veins” in the rectum are not visible; they manifest as painless bleeding during bowel movements, itching, feelings of pressure, and a sense of urgency to have a bowel movement, among other symptoms.
A. During anoscopy, a rubber band is placed on the hemorrhoidal node (standard Barron method).
B. For early or inflamed hemorrhoids, medications are applied locally (suppositories, ointments) as well as systemically.
C. Advanced stages of the disease are suitable for surgery under general anesthesia—either using traditional methods or, at our facility, through the modern painless technique according to Professor Longo—PPH.
Painless skin growths around the anus, sometimes complicating hygiene; in case of thrombosis (blood clotting), a very painful swollen lump appears.
A. Uncomplicated external hemorrhoids do not require treatment.
B. In the case of thrombosis, a small incision is made under local anesthesia to remove the clot.
C. In advanced cases and with the simultaneous presence of internal hemorrhoids, surgery under general anesthesia is often appropriate—performed together with the internal hemorrhoids.
Cracks in the skin and mucous membrane at the site of the anal sphincter, characterized by severe pain during defecation, sometimes bleeding, etc. They cause the anal sphincter to contract, which subsequently leads to impaired blood flow to the rectum and slow or no healing of the fissures.
A. Application of special solutions by a doctor during anoscopy and the use of ointments (at home)
B. Dilatation (widening) of the rectum using dilators
C. In case of failure of conservative treatment, rectal divulsion (stretching) is performed under general anesthesia
