Haemorrhoids are normal anatomic components of the anal canal, involved in the fine adjustment of continence. This physiological role requires normal size and location. The anatomical aspects of haemorrhoids do not reflect their symptomatic expression. Natural evolution of haemorrhoids is benign, but most often chronic, with spontaneous worsening. Despite recent advances in medical and instrumental treatments, about 10% of the patients need a radical and definitive treatment relying on surgery. This comfort-oriented surgery should only be proposed to handicapped patients, after information about the rare (but possible) complications and the unavoidable transitory postoperative discomfort.