Cryotherapy should be avoided because of excessive post-treatment symptoms. Symptoms may also arise from residual hemorrhoidal tissue after an episode of acute thrombosis of external hemorrhoids. These external anal tags may prevent proper cleansing and can be excised during an office procedure if symptoms warrant. The risks of hemorrhoidal disease are continued symptoms, anemia-producing bleeding, and thrombosed hemorrhoids that undergo necrosis. Risks of treatment include bleeding and infection.
Local pain is a common side effect of local treatment.
Pain after banding and injection typically lasts 24-36 hours, and continued pain requires medical attention. Excessive pain after treatment is due to sphincter spasm, and may render urination difficult. Urinary retention is an occasional symptom of occult sepsis. Pain after open hemorrhoidectomy is significant and generally requires narcotics for relief. The fear of a bowel movement because of pain may lead to fecal impaction in a few patients.