Hemorrhoid Formation, Surgical Necessity, and the Role of Disposable Circular Staplers

Hemorrhoids refer to the dilation and swelling of blood vessels in the anus or lower rectum and are a very common anorectal disorder. The pathogenesis of hemorrhoids is related to various factors, with the most common causes being chronic constipation, prolonged sitting or standing, increased abdominal pressure, and irregular eating habits.

The occurrence of constipation forces the patient to strain excessively during bowel movements, which increases the pressure in the anus and rectum, leading to poor venous blood flow and ultimately the formation of hemorrhoidal nodes. Prolonged sitting or standing impedes the return of blood around the anus, causing blood vessel congestion and the formation of hemorrhoids. With the changes in modern lifestyles, particularly in office workers, factors such as prolonged sitting, lack of exercise, and poor diet have led to an annual increase in the incidence of hemorrhoids.

The symptoms of hemorrhoids are typically characterized by anal bleeding, lumps, prolapse, and pain, causing significant disruption to the patient's daily life. Based on the type of hemorrhoids, they are generally categorized into internal hemorrhoids, external hemorrhoids, and mixed hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids occur in the lower rectum and are typically painless, but with the progression of the disease, hemorrhoidal prolapse may occur. External hemorrhoids are located around the anus, causing pain, swelling, and itching, and some patients may experience bleeding. Mixed hemorrhoids are a combination of both internal and external hemorrhoids, usually presenting with more complex symptoms and a higher difficulty in treatment.

For patients with mild hemorrhoids, conservative treatment is the preferred approach. Through medication, dietary adjustments, and increased physical activity, the symptoms can be alleviated and the condition controlled. However, for those with more severe cases, especially when complications like anal prolapse, anal stenosis, or anemia occur, conservative treatment is ineffective, and surgical intervention becomes the only viable option.

Traditional hemorrhoid surgery typically involves the excision of hemorrhoidal nodes through a large incision to restore the normal anatomy of the anus and rectum. This method involves significant trauma, a lengthy recovery period, and a high risk of bleeding, infection, and other complications. With the development of medical technology, minimally invasive surgery has gradually become the mainstream treatment for hemorrhoids.

Minimally invasive surgery is performed through smaller incisions, resulting in less trauma, shorter recovery times, and a reduction in postoperative complications, significantly easing patient discomfort. The disposable circular stapler is an instrument widely used in intestinal anastomosis surgeries and has recently found extensive application in hemorrhoid surgery. The disposable circular stapler mechanically joins excised tissue to ensure the strength and stability of the anastomosis. Its use in hemorrhoid surgery offers several advantages.

Firstly, it improves the precision of the surgery and reduces issues like improper suturing, bleeding, and other complications that may occur with traditional manual suturing. Manual suturing often faces challenges due to variations in the surgeon's technique or incorrect operation, leading to unstable anastomoses and potential complications such as air leakage or bleeding. The disposable circular stapler, however, ensures a secure and stable anastomosis through precise mechanical operations, significantly reducing the incidence of postoperative complications.

Secondly, the use of a disposable circular stapler reduces surgical trauma. Traditional surgery usually requires large incisions, which increase the burden of recovery for the patient. In contrast, the disposable circular stapler allows the surgery to be completed through smaller incisions, resulting in less trauma and a significantly shorter recovery time. Patients experience less pain and have shorter hospital stays, allowing them to return to normal activities more quickly. Additionally, the use of the stapler drastically shortens the surgical time. While manual suturing may take longer, the mechanical operation of the circular stapler can complete the anastomosis rapidly, improving surgical efficiency, reducing the time the patient spends on the operating table, and lowering the risks associated with anesthesia.

Furthermore, the disposable circular stapler helps effectively prevent postoperative complications. Thanks to its precise anastomosis, the stability of the anastomosis is guaranteed, greatly reducing the risk of leakage, bleeding, and infection. Overall, the use of disposable circular staplers enhances the safety and effectiveness of hemorrhoid surgery, allowing patients to recover more quickly.

In the future, as surgical instruments continue to improve and minimally invasive techniques evolve, the design of disposable circular staplers may become more intelligent and personalized. These devices could automatically adjust based on the patient’s specific condition, making the surgery more efficient and safer.

Moreover, with the application of new materials and technologies, future staplers may become more compact, adaptable to various surgical needs, and further enhance surgical precision and safety. As minimally invasive technology becomes more widespread, surgical approaches will diversify, and patient outcomes and recovery times will continue to improve.

In conclusion, hemorrhoid surgery has evolved from traditional open excision to modern minimally invasive techniques. The widespread use of disposable circular staplers has made surgery more precise and safe while also accelerating recovery. As technology advances, disposable circular staplers will play an increasingly important role in hemorrhoid surgery, helping patients achieve better treatment outcomes and faster recovery.