Smelly Discharge After Hemorrhoidectomy – Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

A surgical procedure called Hemorrhoidectomy occurs to treat hemorrhoids. Although the procedure is generally safe, there are some side effects. Mostly, some patients experience complications, such as smelly discharge. 

Smelly discharge after Hemorrhoidectomy is not uncommon. The common symptoms, including smelly discharge, are rectal bleeding, prolapse, pain, thrombosis, mucus discharge, and pruritus. Again, mild bleeding and a yellow-red discharge from the anal area occur, which can increase with bowel movements and activity. It is essential to understand the causes of this discharge. You must also seek medical attention if you experience any unusual symptoms or discomfort.

This article will discuss what to expect after a hemorrhoidectomy, including recovery time, home care, and potential complications. In this response, we will explore the possible reasons for smelly discharge after Hemorrhoidectomy and what you can do to manage it.

Symptoms of Smelly Discharge After Hemorrhoidectomy

After Hemorrhoidectomy, a smelly discharge occurs. You may notice some symptoms before experiencing it—a strong, unpleasant odor emanating from the surgical site. Before experiencing the foul odor, the discharge may be yellow, green, or brownish. The color due to the surgery’s yellow discharge after Hemorrhoidectomy completely differs from the white discharge.

Also, Patients experience itching or burning around the surgical site. The area around the surgical site becomes tender, painful, or uncomfortable. In some cases, fever develops along with the discharge, which could indicate an infection with smelly discharge. 

Causes of Smelly Discharge After Hemorrhoidectomy

Before going through treatment, you need to know, What causes smelly discharge after hemorrhoidectomy? Well, it happens for several reasons, including the following:

Healing after surgery: After the surgery, the body will go through a healing process. For that reason, it produces fluid to clean the wound and the dead tissue. This particular fluid smells terrible if they get trapped in a surgical site.

Mucus discharge and tenesmus without a hitch: during the usual recovery period, patients struggle to close the anus completely, known as fecal incontinence. It happens if the muscle of the anal sphincter is cut or stretched too much during surgery. As a result, without a hitch, mucus discharge after hemorrhoid surgery and a foul odor you may experience.

Pus-filled abscess: most of the time, the hemorrhoid causes pus-filled abscess. It happens due to the prolapsed hemorrhoid. After the surgery, if this type of infected hemorrhoid remains, it triggers a bad smell.

Bacterial attack: Hemorrhoids can be infected by flesh-eating bacteria that form life-threatening gangrene. Though it mainly occurs after the nonsurgical rubber band ligation method, it rarely happens after surgery if tissues get blocked and fail to pass blood. As a result, patients experience foul odors.

Poor hygiene: you may struggle to clean anal until the surgical site dries entirely after the hemorrhoidectomy. For not cleaning the area, foul smell

Describe the causes of smelly discharge, including infection, poor hygiene, and anal fissures

Explain how the discharge may look and smell 

Is Smelly Discharge Normal After Hemorrhoidectomy?

According to a National Library of Medicine study, 10% of patients with hemorrhoidal disease need surgery. But is it normal to have a smelly discharge after a hemorrhoidectomy?

After a hemorrhoidectomy, it is common to experience some discomfort, bleeding, and swelling in the area. However, if the patient notices any signs of infection like fever, increasing pain, or discharge with a foul odor, it must be a thing to worry about. 

A smelly discharge after a hemorrhoidectomy sometimes indicates an infection or a complication such as a fistula. Fistula is an abnormal connection between two parts of the body. When a fistula forms, it allows bacteria and other materials to pass between these two areas. That can result in a smelly discharge. Fistulas occur, including infections, inflammation, and trauma. They complicate certain medical conditions such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

How Does the Discharge Smell Like After Hemorrhoidectomy?

The smell of discharge after hemorrhoidectomy depends. Some people experience a fishy smell from the lower rectal region due to a mucus discharge. The mucus produced by the lining of the enlarged hemorrhoids and excreted from the rectum. 

Sometimes the smell is described as rotten or rank. The bacteria in the anal region produce a massive amount of chemical short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Besides this beneficial chemical, bacteria produce chemicals like enzymes and toxins. That makes the smell putrid or rotten.

What Are The Risks of Hemorrhoidectomy Surgery?

Hemorrhoidectomy is a painful surgical procedure. There are potential risks and complications with hemorrhoidectomy you definitely experience. Some of the possible risks of hemorrhoidectomy include:

1. Pain: The procedure is so painful and remains for several weeks after the surgery.
2. Bleeding: Bleeding during and after the surgery may occur. In rare cases, severe bleeding requires a blood transfusion or additional surgery.
3. Infection: Infection after the surgery, which may become a severe case if not treated immediately. 
4. Urinary retention: The procedure causes temporary difficulty in urination due to the swelling and inflammation of the tissues surrounding the surgical site.
5. Fecal incontinence: The surgery leads to fecal incontinence that causes the inability to control bowel movements.
6. Anal stenosis: This is a narrowing of the anal canal. It causes difficulty in passing stool.
7. Recurrence: Hemorrhoids recur after surgery, but this can be reduced by following a high-fiber diet, drinking plenty of fluids, and avoiding straining during bowel movements.

Treatment Options for Smelly Discharge after Hemorrhoidectomy

If you do not maintain a healthy diet after the surgery. A few days later, you will feel why it looks like I still have hemorrhoids after hemorrhoidectomy,

Home remedies for managing smelly discharge

Home remedies cannot be a substitute for medicines. However, it can give you instant pain relief and also help for having a patient after hemorrhoidectomy take a sitz bath for a few weeks after the surgery. 

We are going to share the steps of taking a sitz bath. Take a look,

1. Fill a bathtub or sitz bath basin with warm water. Remember, the water has to be deep enough.
2. For better results, add Epsom salts or baking soda to the water. That helps soothe the area.
3. Sit in the tub or sit bath basin for 10 to 15 minutes. 
4. Keep the surgical area submerged in the water.
5. Gently pat the area dry with a soft towel.
6. Repeat as needed, up to several times per day.

A study from a university in Michigan suggests taking time a day will keep the area clean and help ease discomfort. 

Antibiotics for Managing Smelly Discharge

Regardless, antibiotics are not directly used to reduce smelly discharge. Antibiotics are used to treat infections. As we know, infection causes smelly discharge; taking antibiotics can heal infections and reduce the chance of smelly discharge. For your convenience, you made a table for yourself based on antibiotics and their role in smelly discharge. 

Food for Managing Smelly Discharge

Maintaining a proper diet can make the healing process faster. Intake of healthy food plays a significant role in any surgery, especially the surgery related to anal. Eating food high in fiber, rich in protein, and has anti-inflammatory properties is recommended. As well as drinking plenty of fluid also reduces the chances of infections and causes no foul smell discharge. Here the food you can consume include

• High in fiber

Fiber helps soften tools and reduce the pressure on the surgical area during bowel movement. Therefore, there will be less chance of having infection or irritation. Consequently, smelly discharge reduces.

• Rich in probiotic elements

Eating foods high in probiotics, like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi, can increase the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut and reduce the risk of infection. This supports the healing process and reduces the risk of smelly discharge. However, you should avoid almond milk as it causes constipation. 

• Plenty of fluids

Drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, coconut water, and herbal teas, keep the body hydrated and support the healing process.

• Food with anti-inflammatory properties

Eating fatty fish, nuts, seeds, and leafy greens with anti-inflammatory properties. These reduce inflammation and promote healing. Moringa is also a good source of anti-inflammatory properties.

• Avoid spicy and processed food.

Spicy and processed foods can irritate the digestive system. That leads to inflammation and infection. It is best to avoid these foods until healing is complete.

Prevention Tips for Smelly Discharge After Hemorrhoidectomy

Here are some home remedies that may help manage smelly discharge after hemorrhoidectomy:

Dos

• Keep the surgical site clean and dry to prevent infection.
• Take a warm sitz bath several times a day during the first few weeks after surgery; it reduces swelling and relaxes the pelvic muscles.
• Wear pads in cotton underwear to monitor drainage and change them every hour or as needed to limit wetness and prevent itching.
• Apply ointment or cream as your doctor directs to soothe the surgical site.
• Take pain medication as prescribed by your doctor to manage pain.
• Drink plenty of fluids to prevent constipation and frequent bowel movements after hemorrhoidectomy.
• Contact your doctor if you experience excessive pain, swelling, or discharge or have a fever.

Don’ts 

• using toilet paper and instead spray the area with warm water after a bowel movement
• using perfumed or dyed products, such as baby wipes or detergent, which can irritate the surgical site.
• Sitting for long periods and taking frequent breaks to stand and walk around.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your provider if:

• experiencing a lot of pain or swelling
• bleeding a lot from your rectum
• having a fever
• can’t pass urine several hours after the surgery
• the incision being red and hot to the touch

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does swelling last after hemorrhoidectomy?

After removing your hemorrhoids, your anal region will hurt or ache for two to four weeks. 

You will be able to perform the majority of your regular activities after 1 to 2 weeks. However, only do a little work. While you are recovering, stay away from heavy lifting and bowel-straining activities.

How long does smelly discharge last after hemorrhoidectomy?

After the surgery, it takes at least 15 weeks to get rid of the smelly discharge. With proper care and medications, your surgical area gets healed, and the smelly discharge is eliminated permanently.

How can I relieve pain and discomfort after hemorrhoidectomy?

The smell of discharge depends on a few causes. Keeping the surgical area clean and dry is essential to prevent infection. Contact your doctor for further evaluation and treatment if you experience swelling, discharge, or severe pain after hemorrhoidectomy.

Is additional surgery necessary to treat smelly discharge after hemorrhoidectomy?

After the hemorrhoidectomy, the infection may occur. It happens due to a lack of proper maintenance, like keeping the surgical area unclean and not maintaining food or medicine according to the health professional’s suggestion. Again, sometimes doctors need to complete the surgery. After surgery, thrombosed hemorrhoids may be left by mistake. And that causes pain and smell. Then additional surgery is necessary to treat smelly discharge after the hemorrhoidectomy.

Conclusion

Finally, we hope now you know that smelly discharge after hemorrhoidectomy is normal. It takes time to recover, but proper medications and food intake make recovery faster. Take a sitz bath for a few weeks and keep the surgical area dry and clean. 

Eat food high in fiber, which makes bowel movement more manageable, a protein that produces beneficial bacteria to prompt faster healing, and fluids to keep the body dehydrated. And avoid spicy and processed food until healing is complete. And last but not least, take medications properly according to your health professional.