November 17th, 2009

A new treatment for hemorrhoids has been introduced to patients in the Champaign-Urbana area. This new outpatient procedure is called the THD (transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization). The THD is a non-invasive procedure that sutures hemorrhoids back into place.    

Dr. Douglas Jones of Christie Clinic, the first surgeon in east central Illinois to perform this procedure, is offering it to patients who suffer from symptomatic internal hemorrhoids. This procedure is a practical option when conservative, non-surgical treatments do not produce the desired results.    

The THD is a quick procedure, only taking about 40 minutes to complete. According to thdamerica.com, "the procedure uses a doppler to locate the terminating branches of the hemorrhoidal arteries. Once the artery is located the surgeon uses an absorbable suture to ligate or 'tie-off' the arterial blood flow. The venous 'out flow' remains to 'shrink' the cushion. This is done without excision of tissue. If necessary the surgeon will perform a hemorrhoidopexy to repair the prolapse. Again, this is done with suture and no excision of tissue. This repair restores and "lifts" the tissue back to its anatomical position."    

"Historically, hemorrhoid patients have been limited to either hemorrhoidectomy or stapled hemorrhoidopexy surgeries," said Dr. Jones. "Those surgeries require removal of tissues from the anus and recovery time can take several weeks."    

With this new procedure, there is no need for the removal of tissue from the body. That means minimal post-operative pain. Most patients are able to return to normal activities within 24-48 hours.    

To contact Dr. Jones for a consultation, call the Department of General Surgery at Christie Clinic on University at 217.366.1228.

Tags: hemorrhoids, dr. douglas jones, transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization