What are the risks of a hemorrhoidectomy?

Pain, bleeding and an inability to urinate (urinary retention) are the most common side effects of hemorrhoidectomy.

Other relatively rare risks include the following:

• Bleeding from the anal area
• Collection of blood in the surgical area (hematoma)
• Inability to control the bowel or bladder (incontinence)
• Infection of the surgical area
• Stool trapped in the anal canal (fecal impaction)

• Narrowing (stenosis) of the anal canal
• Recurrence of hemorrhoids
• An abnormal passage (fistula) that forms between the anal or rectal canal and another area
• Rectal prolapse, which happens when the rectal lining slips out of the anal opening