Stapled haemorrhoidopexy compared to Milligan-Morgan and Ferguson haemorrhoidectomy: a systematic review

Stapled hemorrhoidopexy for hemorrhoids: A overview of systematic reviews and meta-analysis

Stapled hemorrhoidopexy has been used for years to treat hemorrhoids. Despite numerous systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the topic, inconsistent conclusions have left people uncertain about its effectiveness and raised doubts about the quality of these reviews.In order to provide reliable evidence for clinical practice, it is crucial to conduct an overview to assess the quality of MAs/SRs regarding the efficacy and complications of SH.A comprehensive search was performed across seven databases to identify MAs/SRs on the efficacy and complications of SH from inception to October 2023. The selected MAs/SRs were then assessed using three well-established tools: AMSTAR-2, PRISMA 2020and GRADE. These assessments provide a robust evaluation of the quality and reliability of the included MAs/SRs.We removed overlapping randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and conducted a new meta-analysis of the outcomes. The overview included 23 meta-analyses.In AMSTAR-2, three reviews were deemed moderate quality, nine reviews were classified as low quality, and eleven reviews were evaluated as critically low quality.In PRISMA 2020,certain deficiencies were exhibited, such as abstracts (0/23:0 %),final retrieval date (0/23:0 %), sensitivity analysis (6/23:26.09 %),publication bias assessment (11/23:47.83 %), the quality of evidence (2/23:8.70 %) and so on.In GRADE,twenty-six items were rated as moderate quality (27.96 %),forty-one items were rated as low quality (44.09 %) and twenty-six items were rated as critically low quality (27.96 %).SH has been found to be an effective intervention for reducing postoperative pain, shortening procedure time, and promoting wound healing. The re-analysis indicated that SH can reduce postoperative pain in hemorrhoid patients (odds ratio = 0.28, 95 % confidence interval [0.15,0.55], p = 0.0002; I2 = 74 %, p < 0.00001). But SH is associated with a higher risk of postoperative bleeding and recurrence of prolapse.Given that the reviews included in this overview were rated as low quality, caution should be exercised when interpreting the findings.

The comparison of an accessible C-shaped partial stapled hemorrhoidopexy (C-PSH) versus circular stapled hemorrhoidopexy (CSH) in patients with grade IV hemorrhoids: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to present an accessible C-shaped partial stapled hemorrhoidopexy (C-PSH) in the treatment of grade IV hemorrhoids and to assess long-term outcomes of this technique compared with circular stapled hemorrhoidopexy (CSH).

METHODS

Conventional CSH kits combined with an intestinal spatula were used for performing C-PSH. A total of 256 patients with grade IV hemorrhoids referred to Hangzhou Third People's Hospital between January 2016 and June 2017 were obtained: 122 (47.7%) with C-PSH, and 134 (52.3%) with CSH. After propensity score matching, 222 patients (111 in C-PSH group and 111 in CSH group) were ultimately analyzed. The primary outcome was the five-year recurrence rate of hemorrhoids. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative outcomes, postoperative outcomes and complications.

RESULTS

The operative time in the C-PSH group was slightly longer than that in the CSH group (p < 0.01). The vertical length of rectal mucosa specimen in the C-PSH group was shorter than that in the CSH group (p < 0.01). Compared with the CSH group, fecal urgency incidence and numeric rating scale (NRS) score at first defecation were lower in the C-PSH group (p < 0.05). Major complication rate in the CSH group was higher than that in the C-PSH group (p = 0.03). Five-year recurrence rate between the C-PSH group and CSH group was comparable (p > 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that constipation was an independent prognostic factor for hemorrhoidal recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

The accessible C-PSH seems to be a safe and effective technique in managing grade IV hemorrhoids. It has advantages in alleviating postoperative pain at first defecation, fecal urgency and major complications compared with CSH. It could be an alternative technique in the treatment of grade IV hemorrhoids.

[Hemorroids Therapy: a Tailored Approch]

One of the most common reasons to consult a coloproctologist is symptomatic haemorrhoids. Typical signs and symptoms as well as a specialised examination, including proctoscopy, are essential for the correct diagnosis. The vast majority of patients can be treated conservatively with excellent results in terms of quality of life. Sclerotherapy provides good control of symptoms at any stage of haemorrhoidal disease. If conservative treatment fails, there are various surgical options. A tailored approach is mandatory. Besides well-known procedures such as Fergusson, Milligan-Morgan procedure or haemorrhoidopexy (Longo) there are less invasive options such as HAL-RAR, IRT, LT and RFA. Postoperative bleeding, pain and faecal incontinence are rare complications after surgery.

Association of Muscle Fibers with Histopathology in Doughnut Specimens Following Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy and Their Impacts on Postoperative Outcomes

Background Stapled hemorrhoidopexy is widely practiced worldwide since its introduction to the world of proctology and replaced conventional hemorrhoidectomy in treating hemorrhoids. The technique of executing the procedure dictates the outcomes and complications. Here, we attempted to establish the cause of postoperative complications and attributed them to the presence of muscle of fibers in the excised doughnut specimens.

Materials and Methods A prospective observational analysis of histopathological specimens obtained from patients who underwent stapled hemorrhoidopexy using procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids-03 circular staplers in the department of surgery of a tertiary care hospital in southern India was performed, and the correlation between the presence or absence of muscle fibers in the specimens and postoperative complications was evaluated. The patients were followed up for 12 months after the procedure.

Results In this study, 155 patients, including 54, 91, and 10 patients with Grade 2, Grade 3, and Grade 4 hemorrhoids, respectively, were included. Group A consisted of 19 patients with muscle fibers on the specimens, whereas Group B consisted of 139 patients without muscle fibers on the specimens. Early complications within 7 days after the procedure were as follows: 21 and 0.7% of the patients in Groups A and B, respectively, presented with postoperative pain with a visual analog scale score of more than 4; 47 and 6% of the patients in Groups A and B, respectively, presented with urinary retention; 26 and 2% of the patients in Groups A and B, respectively, presented with bleeding; and 21 and 2.9% of the patients in Groups A and B, respectively, presented with fecal urgency. A significant association was found between the presence of muscle fibers and early complications (p < 0.001). Late complications, such as proctalgia and bleeding, accounting for 36.8 and 6.6% in Groups A and B, respectively, were significantly associated with the presence of muscle fibers in histopathology (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, other late complications, such as incontinence, stenosis, and recurrence, exhibited no association (p > 0.05).

Conclusion The technique in taking purse-string sutures and the depth of the suture bite above the dentate line carry the utmost importance in preventing postoperative complications. Therefore, surgeons should refine their technique of appropriate depth to avoid incorporation of muscle fibers while executing the procedure.

OUP accepted manuscript

Background

Symptomatic haemorrhoids are a common anorectal disorder. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the omission of tamponade dressings after haemorrhoidectomy reduces postoperative pain without increasing the risk of severe bleeding.

Method

This was an open-label, randomized clinical trial conducted at 14 German hospitals. All patients with third- or fourth-degree haemorrhoids undergoing haemorrhoidectomy were considered eligible for selection in the intervention (no dressing) or control group (tamponade applied). Two co-primary outcomes were analysed by testing hierarchically ordered hypotheses. First, maximum pain intensity within 48 h after surgery was compared between the groups (superiority). This was followed by an analysis of severe bleeding complications, defined as any bleeding requiring surgical re-intervention within 7 days (non-inferiority). Secondary outcomes included health-related quality of life, patient satisfaction, haemoglobin levels, and adverse events.

Results

Out of 950 patients screened, 754 were randomized and 725 received intervention (366 patients in the intervention and 359 patients in the control group). In the group with tamponade dressings, median pain intensity on the 0 to 10 scale was 6 (interquartile range (i.q.r.) 4–7). Patients without tamponade dressings reported significantly less pain (median 5 (i.q.r. 3–7), P < 0.001). In each group, five patients (1.4 per cent) experienced severe bleeding. The absolute difference for the severe bleeding rate was −0.03 per cent with the 90 per cent confidence interval ranging from −1.47 per cent to +1.41 per cent, in line with the non-inferiority aim. No significant between-group difference was found for secondary outcomes.

Conclusions

The practice of inserting tamponade dressings after haemorrhoidectomy correlates with increased postoperative pain and does not provide benefits in terms of reduced postoperative bleeding.

Registration number

DRKS00011590

Post-hemorrhoidectomy pain: can surgeons reduce it? A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized trials

PURPOSE

Hemorrhoidectomy remains the gold standard treatment for grade III-IV hemorrhoids. However, despite strong recommendations for the suitability of outpatient surgery, post-operative pain has been a limitation to the widespread inclusion of this condition in day surgery programs. The aims of the study were to analyze and compare the post-operative pain of conventional open hemorrhoidectomy, considered the reference technique, against other surgical procedures such as closed hemorrhoidectomy, open hemorrhoidectomy using bipolar or ultrasonic sealant, hemorrhoidopexy, or HAL-RAR, when performed exclusively as outpatients.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to PRISMA methodology. All prospective and randomized studies of patients operated on for hemorrhoids in day surgery and specifying the value of post-operative pain, using a validated scale, were included. Conventional meta-analyses and a random-effects network meta-analysis were carried out.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine studies were included (3309 patients). None of the procedures described severe pain in the post-operative period. Hemorrhoidopexy was the least painful. Conventional open hemorrhoidectomy was the most painful on the first and seventh post-operative days. Pain was reduced after closed hemorrhoidectomy technique and when bipolar or harmonic scalpel was used. Furthermore, transfixive ligation of the hemorrhoidal pedicle was associated with increased post-operative pain.

CONCLUSION

Hemorrhoidal surgery is feasible in day surgery units and post-operative pain can be adequately managed in an outpatient setting. Hemorrhoidopexy was the least painful; however, data should be carefully evaluated by the high rate of long-term recurrence described in literature. Closed hemorrhoidectomy, performed with bipolar or ultrasonic sealing, avoiding transfixive ligation of the hemorrhoidal pedicle, may improve post-operative pain control.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

CRD42020185160.

Outcome of a modified Park's submucosal hemorrhoidectomy versus Milligan-Morgan for grade III-IV circumferential prolapsed hemorrhoids

BACKGROUND

This prospective randomized controlled study compared the short- and long-term efficacy and advantages of modified Park's submucosal over Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy (MMH) in the treatment of grade III and IV circumferential prolapsed hemorrhoids (CPH).

METHODS

A total of 186 consecutive patients with grade III or IV CPH were enrolled. The patients were randomized to MPSH (n = 93) or MMH (n = 93) treatment groups. Patient data included demographics, clinical characteristics, surgical parameters, underlying or arising complications, and CPH recurrence. The patients were closely followed up for at least 24 months.

RESULTS

The patient demographic data and clinical parameters were comparable in the two groups (P > 0.05). MPSH took significantly longer operative time (P < 0.05). Although there was no significant difference in mean postoperative pain between the two groups at days 3 and 14, pain at day 7 was significantly more frequent and severe in the MMH group (P < 0.05). There were no significant group differences in postoperative bleeding, intraoperative blood loss, or development of anal stenosis (P > 0.05). However, the cumulative relapse-free rate was substantially higher in the MPSH group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

MPSH and MMH are both practical and safe techniques for treating grade III and IV CPH disease. However, MPSH is safer, easier, and faster to perform and is associated with fewer recurrences within 24 months of surgery. Additional clinical studies are needed to validate these conclusions.

Ultrasound-Guided Pudendal Nerve Block in Patients Undergoing Open Hemorrhoidectomy: A Post-Hoc Cost-Effectiveness Analysis from a Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Pudendal nerve block (PNB) has been demonstrated to reduce postoperative pain and re-admission rates after open hemorrhoidectomy and may reduce costs but, to date, no study has reported data on this aspect. The aim of our study was to perform a cost analysis on PNB use in in- and outpatients undergoing open hemorrhoidectomy.

Methods

From January 2018 to December 2019, patients undergoing open hemorrhoidectomy were included and randomized to undergo spinal anesthesia either with or without the PNB. Clinical data, direct and indirect costs for in- and outpatients, operating time and operating theatre occupancy were recorded. A cost-effectiveness analysis based on the diagnosis-related groups (DRG) and TARMED reimbursement systems was performed.

Results

Patients who underwent PNB in addition to spinal anesthesia had significantly less pain and a shorter length of hospital stay after open hemorrhoidectomy. The cost analysis included all 49 patients, 23 of whom, in addition to spinal anesthesia, received a PNB. There were no significant differences in operating theatre occupancy (p=0.662), mean operative time (p=0.610) or time required for anesthesia (p=0.124). Direct costs were comparable (482±386 vs 613±543 EUR, p=0.108), while indirect costs were significantly lower in the PNB group (2606±816 vs 2769±1506 EUR, p=0.005). We estimated an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of −243 ± 881 EUR/pain unit on the VAS.

Conclusion

Despite limitations, the ultrasound-guided PNB seems to reduce costs in patient undergoing open hemorrhoidectomy under spinal anesthesia. It was shown to be clinically beneficial and cost-effective, and therefore recommendable in patients undergoing open hemorrhoidectomy.

Comparison of the short-term outcomes of using DST and PPH staplers in the treatment of grade III and IV hemorrhoids

Stapled hemorrhoidopexy has a few advantages such as less postoperative pain and faster recovery compared with conventional hemorrhoidectomy. There are two major devices used for stapled hemorrhoidopexy, PPH stapler (Ethicon EndoSurgery) and DST stapler (Covidien). This study was conducted to investigate the postoperative outcomes among patients with grade III and IV hemorrhoids who underwent hemorrhoidopexy with either of these two devices. A total of 242 consecutive patients underwent stapled hemorrhoidopexy with either PPH stapler (110 patients) or DST stapler (132 patients) at a single center in 2017. We performed a retrospective case–control study to compare the short-term postoperative outcomes and the complications between these two groups. After matching the cases in terms of age, gender, and the grade of hemorrhoids, there were 100 patients in each group (PPH versus DST). There were no significant differences in the postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) score and analgesic usage. Among complications, the incidence of anorectal stricture was significantly higher in the DST group (p = 0.02). Evaluation of the mucosal specimen showed that the total surface area, the muscle/mucosa ratio and the surface area of the muscle were also significantly higher in the DST group (p = 0.03). Further analysis of the DST group demonstrated that patients with anorectal stricture after surgery are younger than patients without anorectal stricture, and higher muscle/mucosa ratio (p = 0.03) and a higher surface area of the muscle (p = 0.03) also measured in the surgical specimen. The two devices provide similar outcomes of postoperative recovery. Patients who underwent DST stapled hemorrhoidopexy had a higher incidence rate of stricture, larger area of muscle excision, and higher muscle/mucosa ratio in the surgical specimen. Further investigation is warranted for a better understanding of the correlation between muscle excision and anorectal stricture.

Network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing the procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids, Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy and tissue-selecting therapy stapler in the treatment of grade III and IV internal hemorrhoids(Meta-analysis)

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhoids are one of the most common conditions in the world, and grade III and IV internal hemorrhoids are mainly treated with surgery. However, there are many different surgical methods, and many postoperative complications occur. Therefore, we aimed to update and expand our previous work to compare the safety and efficacy of the procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH), Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy (MMH) and tissue-selecting therapy stapler (TST) in the treatment of grade III and IV internal hemorrhoids.

METHODS

We performed a network meta-analysis. We searched the Cochrane library, Embase, PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, CNKI, Wangfang, and VIP databases up to May 20, 2019. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing PPH, MMH and TST in the treatment of grade III and IV internal hemorrhoids were included. We performed a Bayesian network meta-analysis to integrate the adverse events of all treatments. This work is reported in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement and Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) guidelines. This study was registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42019137270.

RESULT

Twenty-two RCTs that recruited 3511 patients were identified. Among these patients, 1379 patients underwent PPH, 805 patients underwent TST, and 1327 patients underwent MMH. In terms of adverse events, TST presented the lowest urinary retention rates and fecal incontinence rates. TST exhibited fewer incidences of anal stenosis than PPH and MMH. Importantly, PPH showed the weakest effects on reducing recurrence rates in hemorrhoid patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study indicated that TST showed optimal potential superior clinical effects for grade III and IV hemorrhoids compared to PPH and MMH. However, high-quality large sample RCTs are still expected.

Tamponade dressings versus no tamponade after hemorrhoidectomy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

Symptomatic hemorrhoids are one of the most common anorectal disorders. Many surgeons use tamponades after open hemorrhoidectomy to manage postoperative bleeding. The question of whether a tamponade is necessary and beneficial after hemorrhoidectomy has not yet been conclusively answered. A previously conducted single-center pilot trial included 100 patients after Milligan–Morgan hemorrhoidectomy. The data indicated that insertion of an anal tamponade after hemorrhoidectomy does not reduce postoperative bleeding but causes significantly more pain. The findings of this pilot trial are now to be verified by means of a multicenter randomized clinical study called NoTamp.

Methods

We plan to include 953 patients after Milligan-Morgan or Parks hemorrhoidectomy in the NoTamp study. The aim is to demonstrate that using no tamponade dressing after open hemorrhoidectomy is not inferior to using tamponades with respect to postoperative bleeding, and that the patients report less pain. Primary endpoints of the trial are the maximum postoperative pain within 48 h and the incidence of severe postoperative bleeding that requires surgical revision within 7 days after the surgical procedure. Secondary endpoints of the study are the use of analgesics in the postoperative course, the lowest hemoglobin documented within 7 days, quality of life and patient satisfaction. Safety analysis includes all adverse and serious adverse events in relation to the study treatment. Further information can be found in the registration at the German Registry of Clinical Studies (DRKS00011590) and on the study webpage (https://notamp.de/en-GB/trial/main/setLocale/en_GB/). The study is financed by the HELIOS research funding.

Discussion

The study received full ethics committee approval. The first patient was enrolled on 3 May 2017. This trial will finally answer the question whether the insertion of a tamponade after open hemorrhoidectomy is necessary and beneficial.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register (Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien (DRKS), DRKS00011590. Registered on 12 April 2017.

Transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) versus stapled hemorrhoidopexy (SH) in treatment of internal hemorrhoids: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Although conventional hemorrhoidectomy proved effective in treatment of hemorrhoidal disease, postoperative pain remains a vexing problem. Alternatives to conventional hemorrhoidectomy as transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) and stapled hemorrhoidopexy (SH) were described. The present meta-analysis aimed to review the randomized trials that compared THD and SH to determine which technique is superior in terms of recurrence of hemorrhoids, complications, and postoperative pain.

METHODS

Electronic databases were searched for randomized trials that compared THD and SH for internal hemorrhoids. The PRISMA guidelines were followed when reporting this meta-analysis. The primary endpoint of the analysis was persistence or recurrence of hemorrhoidal disease. Secondary endpoints were postoperative pain, complications, readmission, return to work, and patients' satisfaction.

RESULTS

Six randomized trials including 554 patients (THD = 280; SH = 274) were included. The mean postoperative pain score of THD was significantly lower than SH (2.9 ± 1.5 versus 3.3 ± 1.6). 13.2% of patients experienced persistent or recurrent hemorrhoids after THD versus 6.9% after SH (OR = 1.93, 95%CI = 1.07-3.51, p = 0.029). Complications were recorded in 17.1% of patients who underwent THD and 23.3% of patients who underwent SH (OR = 0.68, 95%CI 0.43-1.05, p = 0.08). The average duration to return to work after THD was 7.3 ± 5.2 versus 7.7 ± 4.8 days after SH (p = 0.34). Grade IV hemorrhoids was significantly associated with persistence or recurrence of hemorrhoidal disease after both procedures.

CONCLUSION

THD had significantly higher persistence/recurrence rate compared to SH whereas complication and readmission rates, hospital stay, return to work, and patients' satisfaction were similar in both groups.

Effect of acupuncture on post-hemorrhoidectomy pain: a randomized controlled trial

Objectives

To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) in relieving pain after hemorrhoidectomy treatment for mixed hemorrhoids.

Design

This was a randomized controlled trial.

Methods

We conducted a single-center, single-blind, and randomized controlled clinical trial. Seventy-two patients with mixed hemorrhoids who had undergone hemorrhoidectomy were randomly assigned to the following 2 groups: the EA treatment group (EA) received surround needling with EA (n=36), and the control group received sham acupuncture (SA) treatment (n=36). The treatment was conducted within 15 min after the completion of the surgery and lasted for 30 min. The pain intensity was recorded by using the visual analog scale as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were verbal rating scale and Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating. These measurements were evaluated at 11 time points: once every hour in the first 8 h after the treatment, 24 and 48 h after the treatment, and at the first defecation. Besides, quality of life was measured by Symptom Checklist-90 Scale at 24 and 48 h follow-ups.

Results

The EA group had significantly lower visual analog scale scores at the 3 time points of 6, 24 h, and during the defecation (p<0.05). Verbal rating scale showed a significantly lower score in the treatment group compared to the SA group at 4 h after the treatment as well as during defecation (p<0.05). The Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating scores of EA group were significantly lower at 5, 7, and 8 h after treatment and during defecation (p<0.05) compared with those of SA group.

Conclusion

Acupuncture is effective in alleviating postoperative pain in patients who have undergone hemorrhoidectomy.

A pragmatic multicentre randomised controlled trial comparing stapled haemorrhoidopexy with traditional excisional surgery for haemorrhoidal disease: the eTHoS study

BACKGROUND

Haemorrhoids are a benign anorectal condition and are highly prevalent in the UK population. Treatments involve clinic-based procedures and surgery. The surgical procedures available include stapled haemorrhoidopexy (SH) and traditional haemorrhoidectomy (TH), and over 25,000 operations are performed for haemorrhoids annually in the UK. The disease is therefore important both to patients and to health service commissioners. Debate remains as to which of these surgical procedures is the most clinically effective and cost-effective.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of SH with that of TH.

DESIGN

A large, open two-arm parallel-group pragmatic multicentre randomised controlled trial involving 32 UK hospitals and a within-trial cost-benefit analysis. A discrete choice experiment was conducted to estimate benefits (willingness to pay).

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with grades II-IV haemorrhoids who had not previously undergone SH or TH were included in the study.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants were randomised to receive either SH or TH. Randomisation was minimised at 1 : 1, in accordance with baseline EuroQol-5 Dimensions, three-level version (EQ-5D-3L) score, haemorrhoid grade, sex and centre, via an automated system.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was area under the quality-of-life curve measured using the EQ-5D-3L descriptive system over 24 months, and the primary economic outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Secondary outcomes included disease-specific quality of life, recurrence, complications, further interventions and costs.

RESULTS

Between January 2011 and August 2014, 777 patients were randomised (389 to receive SH and 388 to receive TH). There were 774 participants included in the analysis as a result of one post-randomisation exclusion in the SH arm and two in the TH arm. SH was less painful than TH in the short term. Surgical complications were similar in both arms. EQ-5D-3L score was higher for the SH arm in the first 6 weeks after surgery, but over 24 months the TH group had significantly better EQ-5D-3L scores (-0.073, 95% confidence interval -0.140 to -0.006; p = 0.0342). Symptoms and further interventions were significantly fewer in the TH arm at 24 months. Continence was better in the TH arm and tenesmus occurred less frequently. The number of serious adverse events reported was 24 out of 337 (7.1%) for participants who received SH and 33 out of 352 (9.4%) for those who received TH. There were two deaths in the SH arm, both unrelated to the eTHoS (either Traditional Haemorrhoidectomy or Stapled haemorrhoidopexy for haemorrhoidal disease) study. Patient preference did not seem to influence the treatment difference. SH was dominated by TH as it cost more and was less effective. The net benefit for the TH arm was higher than that for the SH arm.

LIMITATIONS

Neither the participants nor the assessors were masked to treatment assignment and final recruitment was slightly short of the total target of 800. There were also substantial missing follow-up data.

CONCLUSIONS

While patients who received SH had less short-term pain, after 6 weeks, recurrence rates, symptoms, re-interventions and quality-of-life measures all favoured TH. In addition, TH is cheaper. As part of a tailored management plan for haemorrhoids, TH should be considered over SH as the surgical treatment of choice for haemorrhoids refractory to clinic-based interventions.

FUTURE WORK

Perform an updated meta-analysis incorporating recently conducted European trials [eTHoS, HubBLe (haemorrhoidal artery ligation versus rubber band ligation for the management of symptomatic second-degree and third-degree haemorrhoids) and LingaLongo (Cost-effectiveness of New Surgical Treatments for Haemorrhoidal Disease)].

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN80061723.

FUNDING

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 21, No. 70. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

LONG TERM RESULTS AFTER STAPLED HEMORRHOIDOPEXY ALONE AND COMPLEMENTED BY EXCISIONAL HEMORRHOIDECTOMY: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

Background:

Stapled hemorrhoidopexy is associated with less postoperative pain and faster recovery. However, it may be associated with a greater risk of symptomatic recurrence. We hypothesized that undertaking a limited surgical excision of hemorrhoid disease after stapling may be a valid approach for selected patients.

Aim:

To compare long-term results after stapled hemorrhoidopexy with and without complementation with closed excisional technique.

Method:

In a retrospective uni-institutional cohort study, sixty-five (29 men) patients underwent stapled hemorrhoidopexy and 21 (13 men) underwent stapled hemorrhoidopexy with excision. The same surgeons operated on all cases. Patients underwent stapled hemorrhoidectomy associated with excisional surgery if symptoms attributable to external hemorrhoid piles were observed preoperatively, or if residual prolapse or bulky external disease was observed after the firing of the stapler. A closed excisional diathermy hemorrhoidectomy without vascular ligation was utilized in all complemented cases. All clinical variables were obtained from a questionnaire evaluation obtained through e-mail, telephone interview, or office follow-up.

Results:

The median duration of postoperative follow-up was 48.5 (6-40) months. Patients with grades 3 and 4 hemorrhoid disease were operated on more frequently using stapled hemorrhoidopexy complemented with excisional technique (95.2% vs. 55.4%, p=0.001). Regarding respectively stapled hemorrhoidopexy and stapled hemorrhoidopexy complemented with excision, there was no difference between the techniques in relation to symptom recurrence (43% and 33%, p=0.45) and median interval between surgery and symptom recurrence (30 (8-84) and 38.8 (8-65) months, p=0.80). Eight (12.3%) patients were re-operated after stapled hemorrhoidopexy and 2 (9.6%), after hemorrhoidopexy with excision (p=0.78). Patient distribution in both groups according to the degree of postoperative satisfaction was similar (p=0.97).

Conclusion:

Stapled hemorrhoidopexy combined with an excisional technique was effective for more advanced hemorrhoid disease. The combination may have prevented symptomatic recurrence associated to stapled hemorrhoidopexy alone.

Early Experience With a Partial Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy for Treating Patients With Grades III-IV Prolapsing Hemorrhoids

PURPOSE

Circular stapled hemorrhoidopexy (CSH) is widely used to treat patients with grades III-IV hemorrhoids because of less pain and short hospital stay. However, this procedure is associated with some complications, such as urge to defecate, anal stenosis, staple line dehiscence, abscess and sepsis. To avoid these complications, surgeons perform a partial stapled hemorrhoidopexy (PSH). The aim of this study is to present our early experience with the PSH.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 58 patients with hemorrhoids who were treated with a PSH at Busan Hang-Un Hospital from January 2016 to June 2016. A specially designed tri-window anoscope was used, and a purse string suture was made at the mucosae of the protruding hemorrhoids through the window of the anoscope. The hemorrhoidopexy was done by using a circular stapler.

RESULTS

Of the 58 patients included in this study, 34 were male and 24 were female patients (mean age, 50.4 years). The mean operation time was 12.4 minutes, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.8 days. Three patients experienced bleeding (5.1%) 5 urinary retention (8.6%) and 5 skin tags (8.6%). Urge to defecate, tenesmus, abscess, rectovaginal fistula, anal stricture, incontinence, and recurrence did not occur.

CONCLUSION

PSH is a minimally invasive, feasible, and safe technique for treating patients with grades III-IV hemorrhoids. A PSH, instead of a CSH, can be used to treat certain patients with hemorrhoids.

Comparison of stapled haemorrhoidopexy with traditional excisional surgery for haemorrhoidal disease (eTHoS): a pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Two commonly performed surgical interventions are available for severe (grade II-IV) haemorrhoids; traditional excisional surgery and stapled haemorrhoidopexy. Uncertainty exists as to which is most effective. The eTHoS trial was designed to establish the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of stapled haemorrhoidopexy compared with traditional excisional surgery.

METHODS

The eTHoS trial was a large, open-label, multicentre, parallel-group, pragmatic randomised controlled trial done in adult participants (aged 18 years or older) referred to hospital for surgical treatment for grade II-IV haemorrhoids. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either traditional excisional surgery or stapled haemorrhoidopexy. Randomisation was minimised according to baseline EuroQol 5 dimensions 3 level score (EQ-5D-3L), haemorrhoid grade, sex, and centre with an automated system to stapled haemorrhoidopexy or traditional excisional surgery. The primary outcome was area under the quality of life curve (AUC) measured with the EQ-5D-3L descriptive system over 24 months, assessed according to the randomised groups. The primary outcome measure was analysed using linear regression with adjustment for the minimisation variables. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN80061723.

FINDINGS

Between Jan 13, 2011, and Aug 1, 2014, 777 patients were randomised (389 to receive stapled haemorrhoidopexy and 388 to receive traditional excisional surgery). Stapled haemorrhoidopexy was less painful than traditional excisional surgery in the short term and surgical complication rates were similar between groups. The EQ-5D-3L AUC score was higher in the traditional excisional surgery group than the stapled haemorrhoidopexy group over 24 months; mean difference -0·073 (95% CI -0·140 to -0·006; p=0·0342). EQ-5D-3L was higher for stapled haemorrhoidopexy in the first 6 weeks after surgery, the traditional excisional surgery group had significantly better quality of life scores than the stapled haemorrhoidopexy group. 24 (7%) of 338 participants who received stapled haemorrhoidopexy and 33 (9%) of 352 participants who received traditional excisional surgery had serious adverse events.

INTERPRETATION

As part of a tailored management plan for haemorrhoids, traditional excisional surgery should be considered over stapled haemorrhoidopexy as the surgical treatment of choice.

FUNDING

National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

Doppler-Guided Transanal Hemorrhoidal Dearterialization (DG-THD) Versus Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy (SH) in the Treatment of Third-Degree Hemorrhoids: Clinical Results at Short and Long-Term Follow-Up

INTRODUCTION

The stapled hemorrhoidopexy (SH) and the Doppler-guided transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (DG-THD) are minimally invasive procedures for the surgical treatment of hemorrhoids. This study aims to verify the efficacy of the DG-THD versus the SH in the treatment of third-degree hemorrhoids.

METHOD

One hundred consecutive patients were causally allocated to either procedure, obtaining two groups of 50 pts. A clinical examination was performed at 3, 7, 15, and 30 days after the operation. Quality of life, anal symptoms, recurrence of hemorrhoids, and reoperation were assessed by means of a questionnaire and of a clinical examination at long-term follow-up (7.0 year average).

RESULTS

At short-term follow-up, the median postoperative pain score was significantly lower in DG-THD group compared to SH group, (V.A.S 2 vs 6; t = 2.65, p < 0.01). The morbidity rate and the return to normal life and work were similar after the two procedures. At long-term follow-up, the incidence of piles was not statistically different between the two groups (DG-THD 10.0 %; SH 14.0 %). No differences were reported by patients in terms of satisfaction for surgery.

CONCLUSION

SH and DG-THD procedures do not show significantly different results with regard to the patients outcome. However, considering the lower p. o. pain, the DG-THD might be proposed as the first line treatment in third-degree hemorrhoids.

Proctitis after stapled hemorrhoidopexy is an underestimated complication of a widely used surgical procedure: a retrospective observational cohort study in 129 patients

Background

Hemorrhoidal disease is highly prevalent in the western world. Stapled hemorrhoidopexy also known as the procedure for prolapsed hemorrhoids (pph) has been shown to be superior to conventional hemorrhoidectomy with regard to postoperative pain, length of hospital stay and early return to work. Proctitis following stapled hemorrhoidopexy has not been reported previously. Herein, we report our experience with proctitis in patients following stapled hemorrhoidopexy and question if proctitis could be a complication of stapled hemorrhoidopexy.

Materials and methods

A retrospective analysis of the data of patients undergoing stapled hemorrhoidopexy with the PPH03 in the coloproctology unit of the department of surgery of a primary care hospital in Germany within a 5-year period was performed. All cases were managed and followed up by a single attending surgeon with expertise in coloproctology.

Results

129 patients were included for analysis including 21 cases with grade 2, 103 cases of grade 3 and 5 cases of grade 4 hemorrhoids. The median duration of surgery was 20 min. 17 complications including two recurrences were recorded. Post-pph proctitis was recorded in 14 cases (10.9 %). Post-pph proctitis was not associated with gender, extent of hemorrhoidal disease, BMI and ASA (p >0.05). All cases recovered within 4 weeks following management with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and suppositories.

Conclusion

Proctitis could be a complication of stapled hemorrhoidopexy with a good response to conservative treatment with suppositories.

Systematic review and network meta-analysis comparing clinical outcomes and effectiveness of surgical treatments for haemorrhoids

BACKGROUND

The aim was to compare the clinical outcomes and effectiveness of surgical treatments for haemorrhoids.

METHODS

Randomized clinical trials were identified by means of a systematic review. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed using the Markov chain Monte Carlo method in WinBUGS.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight trials were included with 7827 participants and 11 surgical treatments for grade III and IV haemorrhoids. Open, closed and radiofrequency haemorrhoidectomies resulted in significantly more postoperative complications than transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD), LigaSure™ and Harmonic® haemorrhoidectomies. THD had significantly less postoperative bleeding than open and stapled procedures, and resulted in significantly fewer emergency reoperations than open, closed, stapled and LigaSure™ haemorrhoidectomies. Open and closed haemorrhoidectomies resulted in more pain on postoperative day 1 than stapled, THD, LigaSure™ and Harmonic® procedures. After stapled, LigaSure™ and Harmonic® haemorrhoidectomies patients resumed normal daily activities earlier than after open and closed procedures. THD provided the earliest time to first bowel movement. The stapled and THD groups had significantly higher haemorrhoid recurrence rates than the open, closed and LigaSure™ groups. Recurrence of haemorrhoidal symptoms was more common after stapled haemorrhoidectomy than after open and LigaSure™ operations. No significant difference was identified between treatments for anal stenosis, incontinence and perianal skin tags.

CONCLUSION

Open and closed haemorrhoidectomies resulted in more postoperative complications and slower recovery, but fewer haemorrhoid recurrences. THD and stapled haemorrhoidectomies were associated with decreased postoperative pain and faster recovery, but higher recurrence rates. The advantages and disadvantages of each surgical treatment should be discussed with the patient before surgery to allow an informed decision to be made.

Efficacy of procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids vs traditional surgery for treatment of constipation caused by internal rectal prolapse with mixed hemorrhoids

AIM: To compare the clinical curative effect of procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH) vs traditional surgery in the treatment of outlet obstructive constipation caused by internal rectal prolapse with mixed hemorrhoids.

METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients with internal rectal prolapse with mixed hemorrhoids treated from January 2010 to December 2012 were randomly divided into either a study group to receive PPH or a control group to receive traditional surgery (Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy + rectal mucosa ligation). Anorectal pressure was measured preoperatively and postoperatively and compared between the two groups. The quality of life was evaluated using the Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL).

RESULTS: Anorectal pressure showed varying degrees of decrease in the two groups after operation; the decrease was not significant in the study group (P > 0.05), but was significant in the control group (P < 0.05). Except resting rectal pressure, other parameters showed significant differences between the two groups after operation (P < 0.05). The overall score and the score of each dimension of the PAC-QOL were statistically significant between the PPH and traditional operation groups, favoring the PPH group.

CONCLUSION: PPH is superior to traditional surgery with regards to curative effect and improvement of quality of life in the treatment of constipation caused by internal rectal prolapse with mixed hemorrhoids with regards to curative effect and improvement of quality of life.

Stapled haemorrhoidopexy: is it time to move on?

Stapled haemorrhoidectomy was proposed as an 'ideal' solution for symptomatic haemorrhoids, with minimal postoperative pain, no perianal wound requiring postoperative wound care and a relatively short operative time. Some randomised controlled trials and reviews confirmed these findings, claiming that stapled haemorrhoidopexy is the most effective and safe procedure for haemorrhoids. However, there are increasing number of publications highlighting that the technique is associated with serious and life threatening complications. Maybe it is now the time to accept that stapled haemorrhoidopexy has done its role in directing our attention to the fact that modern surgical treatment of haemorrhoids should avoid excision of anorectal skin but should instead aim at treatment intervention above the dentate line.

Procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids vs traditional surgery for outlet obstructive constipation

AIM: To compare the clinical efficacies of two surgical procedures for hemorrhoid rectal prolapse with outlet obstruction-induced constipation.

METHODS: One hundred eight inpatients who underwent surgery for outlet obstructive constipation caused by internal rectal prolapse and circumferential hemorrhoids at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from June 2012 to June 2013 were prospectively included in the study. The patients with rectal prolapse hemorrhoids with outlet obstruction-induced constipation were randomly divided into two groups to undergo either a procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH) (n = 54) or conventional surgery (n = 54; control group). Short-term (operative time, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative urinary retention, postoperative perianal edema, and postoperative pain) and long-term (postoperative anal stenosis, postoperative sensory anal incontinence, postoperative recurrence, and postoperative difficulty in defecation) clinical effects were compared between the two groups. The short- and long-term efficacies of the two procedures were determined.

RESULTS: In terms of short-term clinical effects, operative time and postoperative hospital stay were significantly shorter in the PPH group than in the control group (24.36 ± 5.16 min vs 44.27 ± 6.57 min, 2.1 ± 1.4 d vs 3.6 ± 2.3 d, both P < 0.01). The incidence of postoperative urinary retention was higher in the PPH group than in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (48.15% vs 37.04%). The incidence of perianal edema was significantly lower in the PPH group (11.11% vs 42.60%, P < 0.05). The visual analogue scale scores at 24 h after surgery, first defecation, and one week after surgery were significantly lower in the PPH group (2.9 ± 0.9 vs 8.3 ± 1.1, 2.0 ± 0.5 vs 6.5 ± 0.8, and 1.7 ± 0.5 vs 5.0 ± 0.7, respectively, all P < 0.01). With regard to long-term clinical effects, the incidence of anal stenosis was lower in the PPH group than in the control group, but the difference was not significant (1.85% vs 5.56%). The incidence of sensory anal incontinence was significantly lower in the PPH group (3.70% vs 12.96%, P < 0.05). The incidences of recurrent internal rectal prolapse and difficulty in defecation were lower in the PPH group than in the control group, but the differences were not significant (11.11% vs 16.67% and 12.96% vs 24.07%, respectively).

CONCLUSION: PPH is superior to the traditional surgery in the management of outlet obstructive constipation caused by internal rectal prolapse with circumferential hemorrhoids.

Clinical application of procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids

As the sliding anal cushion theory is widely accepted, the procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH) has been applied all over the world. PPH mainly involves restoring the normal anatomy of the anal canal by circular excision of the mucosa above the hemorrhoids. Therefore, the blood supply is partially blocked so that hemorrhoids will gradually shrink. PPH has many advantages such as rapid rehabilitation, minimal invasiveness, and good short-term outcome (early resumption, less rectal bleeding and postoperative pain). However, many retrospective studies and meta-analyses indicate that, compared with the traditional surgery, PPH still has a number of deficiencies, including relatively high costs, high rates of relapse in a long term and so on. This review discusses the strategies, postoperative complications and clinical application of PPH.

Ambulatory haemorrhoidal surgery: systematic literature review and qualitative analysis

PURPOSE

The aims of this study are to review the advantages and drawbacks of the ambulatory management of patients scheduled for haemorrhoidal surgery and to highlight the reasons for unplanned hospital admission and suggest preventive strategies.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of the literature from January 1999 to January 2013 using MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Manuscripts were specifically analysed for failure and side effects of haemorrhoidal surgery in ambulatory settings.

RESULTS

Fifty relevant studies (6082 patients) were retrieved from the literature review. The rate of ambulatory management failure ranged between 0 and 61%. The main reasons for failure were urinary retention, postoperative haemorrhage and unsatisfactory pain control. Spinal anaesthesia was associated with the highest rates of urinary retention. Doppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation has less frequent side effects susceptible to impair ambulatory management than haemorrhoidectomy and stapled haemorrhoidopexy. However, the fact that haemorrhoidopexy is less painful than haemorrhoidectomy may allow ambulatory management.

CONCLUSION

Day-case haemorrhoidal surgery can be performed whatever the surgical procedure. Postoperative pain deserves special prevention measures after haemorrhoidectomy, especially by using perineal block or infiltrations. Urinary retention is a common issue that can be responsible for failure; it requires a preventive strategy including short duration spinal anaesthesia. Doppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation is easy to perform in outpatients but deserves more complete evaluation in this setting.

Clinical observations on the treatment of prolapsing hemorrhoids with tissue selecting therapy

AIM: To compare the effects and postoperative complications between tissue selecting therapy stapler (TST) and Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy (M-M).

METHODS: Four hundred and eighty patients with severe prolapsing hemorrhoids, who were admitted to the Shenyang Coloproctology Hospital between 2009 and 2012, were randomly divided into observation (n = 240) and control (n = 240) groups. Hemorrhoidectomies were performed with TST in the observation group and with the M-M technique in the control group. The therapeutic effects, operation security, and postoperative complications in the two groups were compared. The immediate and long-term complications were assessed according to corresponding criteria. Pain was assessed on a visual analogue scale. The efficacy was assessed by specialized criteria. The follow-up was conducted one year after the operation.

RESULTS: The total effective rates of the observation and control groups were 99.5% (217/218) and 98.6% (218/221) respectively; the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.322). Their were significant differences between observation and control groups in intraoperative blood loss (5.07 ± 1.14 vs 2.45 ± 0.57, P = 0.000), pain (12 h after the surgery: 5.08 ± 1.62 vs 7.19 ± 2.01, P = 0.000; at first dressing change: 2.64 ± 0.87 vs 4.34 ± 1.15, P = 0.000; first defecation: 3.91 ± 1.47 vs 5.63 ± 1.98, P = 0.001), urine retention (n = 22 vs n = 47, P = 0.001), anal pendant expansion after the surgery (2.35 ± 0.56 vs 5.16 ± 1.42, P = 0.000), operation time (18.3 ± 5.6 min vs 29.5 ± 8.2 min, P = 0.000), and the length of hospital stay (5.3 ± 0.6 d vs 11.4 ± 1.8 d, P = 0.000). Moreover TST showed significant reductions compared to M-M in the rates of long-term complications such as fecal incontinence (n = 3 vs n = 16, P = 0.003), difficult bowel movement (n = 1 vs n = 9, P = 0.011), intractable pain (n = 2 vs n = 12, P = 0.007), and anal discharge (n = 3 vs n = 23, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSION: TST for severe prolapsing hemorrhoids is a satisfactory technique for more rapid recovery, lower complication rates, and higher operation security.

Is Stapled Hemorrhoidectomy a Safe Procedure for Third and Fourth Grade Hemorrhoids? An Experience at Civil Hospital Karachi

Hemorrhoids are amongst the most frequent anorectal conditions affecting approximately 4-36 % of the general population. The study was carried out to assess the clinical consequences of stapled hemorrhoidectomy comparing results with other published literature regarding postoperative pain, bleeding, incontinence, and other complications. A total of 120 patients were included in this study with symptomatic grade 3 or 4 prolapsed hemorrhoids, who underwent stapled hemorrhoidectomy from January 2006 to January 2012 at the Civil Hospital Karachi, Pakistan. In 92 patients (76.6 %), proctological examination showed grade 3 hemorrhoids. Fourth degree hemorrhoids were found in 28 cases (23.4 %). Hospitalization time ranged between 1 and 3 days (median time was 34 h). Seventy-eight patients were discharged on the first postoperative day, without severe pain, and the remaining 42 patients were discharge on the third day. Two cases of postoperative pain and thrombosis were found as postoperative complications. Stapled hemorrhoidectomy is a safe and quick procedure associated with less pain, better outcome, and early recovery with shorter hospital stay.

Comparison of transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialisation and stapled haemorrhoidopexy in management of haemorrhoidal disease: a retrospective study and literature review

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialisation (THD) and stapled haemorrhoidopexy [also called procedure for prolapsed haemorrhoids (PPH)] in the management of haemorrhoidal disease, in terms of short-term outcomes and efficacy.

METHODS

Patients presenting with symptomatic haemorrhoids were treated with THD. Patient demographics, pre-operative data, post-operative pain scores, complications, recurrence, and patient satisfaction scores were evaluated and recorded. Patients with acute thrombosed haemorrhoids, external haemorrhoids only, or other concomitant anal diseases were excluded. These data were compared with the historical data of PPH.

RESULTS

Forty consecutive patients underwent THD from February 2012 to July 2013 and were compared to 37 patients who underwent PPH taken from a medical records database. There were no significant differences in terms of demographic data, type of anaesthesia, operative time, and blood loss. Length of hospital stay, time to first post-operative bowel movement, and complications were similar between the two groups. The median pain score after THD and PPH was 1.71 and 5.00, respectively, on a scale of 0-10 (10 = worst possible pain) (p = 0.000). There was a significant improvement in bleeding and prolapse scores after THD. THD patients had an earlier return to normal daily activities (3.13 vs. 6.78 days, p = 0.001) when compared with the PPH group. Upon follow-up, patients in both groups had similar satisfaction scores, and complication and recurrence rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Both THD and PPH appear to be safe procedures for haemorrhoidal disease, and they appear to have similar short-term outcomes. In particular, THD seems to be associated with a lower pain score than PPH, an earlier return to normal daily activities, and similar rates of complication and recurrence.

Tamponade dressings may be unnecessary after haemorrhoidectomy: a randomised controlled clinical trial

PURPOSE

Bleeding after haemorrhoidectomy is common. Many surgical textbooks recommend insertion of an anal tampon in order to reduce postoperative bleeding. This practice, however, is bothersome and probably painful for patients. The effect of using a tamponade has not been validated in randomised controlled trials.

METHODS

The study included 100 patients who were scheduled for Milligan-Morgan haemorrhoidectomy. During surgery, patients were randomly assigned to receive or not to receive an anal tampon at the end of the procedure. Data on pain, complications and wound care were collected. The trial was registered (DRKS00003116) and all analyses were by intention-to-treat.

RESULTS

There were 48 patients in the group with tamponade, and 52 patients were left without tamponade. The trial's primary outcome and maximum pain intensity, averaged 6.1 and 4.2 in the two groups (P = 0.001). In the group with tamponade, a complication was recorded in seven patients (15 %), which was similar to the group without tamponade (21 %). Severe anal bleeding occurred in two and five patients, respectively. Bandage changes were less necessary often in the group treated without tamponade (P = 0.013). Hospital stay was 4 days in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Data indicate that insertion of an anal tampon after haemorrhoidectomy does not reduce postoperative bleeding but causes significantly more pain. After haemorrhoidectomy, anal tampons should not be used routinely but may be considered when specific indications justify its use.

Long-term outcomes of stapled hemorrhoidopexy

Introduction

Hemorrhoidal disease is one of the commonest anorectal disorders worldwide. Stapled hemorrhoidopexy (SH) is a treatment modality associated with low postoperative pain and early mobilization.

Aim

To assess long-term outcomes after SH.

Material and methods

All 326 patients who underwent SH in 1999–2003 were invited by mail to participate. For each patient we analyzed their medical records, and conducted a questionnaire survey and a digital rectal examination.

Results

Only 91 patients attended the final examination and the mean ± SD follow-up time was 8.7 ±1.2 years. Recurrences were diagnosed in one third of the 91 subjects. There were correlations between recurrences and: the duration of disease (p = 0.047); female gender (p = 0.037); and childbirth (vaginal delivery) (p = 0.026). Sixty-seven patients (73.6%) were satisfied with the outcomes. In the group of dissatisfied patients symptoms such as pain (p = 0.0001), burning (p = 0.0002) and itching (p = 0.014) were most common. Long-term outcomes were good with 75% and 88% reductions in pain sensation and severe and moderate hemorrhoidal bleeding. Pruritus, burning and discomfort resolved in more than 50% of patients. Flatus incontinence, fecal incontinence, or soiling occurred in 21%, 11%, and 32% of patients.

Conclusions

Long-term results of stapled hemorrhoidopexy are satisfactory in most patients. The 36% recurrence rate correlates with the degree of hemorrhoidal prolapse before the operation, duration of the disease, female gender, and previous vaginal delivery.

Quality of life after stapler haemorrhoidectomy evaluated by SF-36 questionnaire

OBJECTIVE

Hemorrhoids are normal elements of the anal canal anatomy and they become symptomatic with potential factors such as gravity or strain. When symptomatic, hemorrhoidal disease can be costly measured in time away from productive activities. The aim of the study was to assess changes in the quality of life of patients after hemorrhoidectomy using Short Form-36.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty patients, 24 male and 6 female (age 28 to 65), who were diagnosed with grade III and IV internal hemorrhoidal disease at the general surgery outpatient clinic and treated with stapled hemorrhoidectomy were enrolled in the study. They filled out Short Form-36 a week before surgery and four weeks after surgery. Post-Hoc tests were evaluated with Bonferroni correction after Kruskal Wallis analysis. Wilcoxon test, Student-t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis using SPSS 15.

RESULTS

Physical health (Physical functioning, Physical role restriction, Bodily pain) scores were significantly improved after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Success of hemorrhoidectomy operations can be evaluated by postoperative recovery, incidence of complications or relapses. Quality of life questionnaires are another method to evaluate the success of the treatment from the patient's perspective.

Randomized sham-controlled trial of acupuncture for postoperative pain control after stapled haemorrhoidopexy

AIM

Haemorrhoidectomy usually causes moderate to strong postoperative pain. Chinese studies have found that acupuncture may have an analgesic effect in posthaemorrhoidectomy patients. This is the first Western study aiming assess the efficacy of acupuncture as an adjunct analgesic therapy after stapled haemorrhoidopexy.

METHOD

In a randomized controlled trial, 50 patients were allocated to three groups. Conventional drug therapy (oral diclofenac and metamizol, local lidocaine) served as baseline analgesia. In the control group (n = 17) only this regimen was used. In addition to baseline analgesia, 17 patients received verum acupuncture. Sham acupuncture was performed on 16 patients. Being the primary outcome measure, pain was measured twice daily using the numerical rating scale (NRS) and compared statistically by repeated-measures analysis of variance. The study was registered (DRKS00003116). Results  After verum acupuncture, pain intensity was not significantly lower when compared with conventional analgesia (primary hypothesis, P = 0.057), but was when compared to sham acupuncture (P = 0.007). In the afternoon of postoperative day 1, for example, NRS was 2.7 (SD 1.5) in the verum group, but 4.0 (1.0) in the sham group and 4.1 (1.9) under conventional analgesia. Furthermore, significantly fewer rescue analgesics were necessary if verum acupuncture was applied. Cardiovascular parameters were stable in all three groups, and no complications were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

In posthaemorrhoidectomy patients, acupuncture appears to be an effective adjunct to conventional analgesia. Further studies are necessary to confirm these observations and to refine the acupuncture technique.

Predictors of recurrence of prolapse after procedure for prolapse and haemorrhoids

AIM

The procedure for prolapse and haemorrhoids (PPH) is an effective surgical therapy for symptomatic haemorrhoids. Compared with haemorrhoidectomy, meta-analysis has shown PPH to be less painful, with higher patient satisfaction and a quicker return to work, but at the cost of higher prolapse recurrence rates. This is the first report describing predictors of prolapse recurrence after PPH.

METHOD

A cohort of patients with symptomatic haemorrhoids, treated with PPH in our hospital between 2002 and 2009, was retrospectively analysed. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify patient-related and perioperative predictors associated with persisting prolapse and prolapse recurrence.

RESULTS

In total, 159 consecutively enrolled patients were analysed. Persistence and recurrence of prolapse was observed in 16% of the patients. Increased surgical experience showed a trend towards lower recurrence rates. Multivariate analysis identified female gender, long duration of PPH surgery and the absence of muscle tissue in the resected specimen as independent predictors of postoperative persistence of prolapse of haemorrhoids. The absence of prior treatment with rubber band ligation (RBL) as well as increased PPH experience at the hospital showed a trend towards a higher rate of prolapse recurrence.

CONCLUSION

In order to reduce recurrence of prolapse, PPH should be performed by a surgeon with adequate PPH experience, patients should be treated with RBL prior to PPH and a resection of mucosa with underlying muscle fibres should be strived for.

Rectal perforation with life-threatening peritonitis following stapled haemorrhoidopexy

BACKGROUND

Stapled haemorrhoidopexy is a well recognized alternative to haemorrhoidectomy, and is associated with reduced pain and earlier return to normal activity. This paper reports all published cases of life-threatening sepsis following stapled haemorrhoidopexy, identifies causative factors and makes recommendations.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed by searching the major electronic databases. All relevant references were reviewed for possible inclusion. All references of the relevant articles were screened for any further articles that were not identified in the initial search.

RESULTS

From 2000 to the present, 29 articles reporting complications in 40 patients were identified. Thirty-five patients underwent laparotomy with faecal diversion and a further patient was treated by low anterior resection. A specific complication was rectal perforation with peritonitis. Factors that led to life-threatening sepsis were identified in 30 patients. Despite surgical treatment and resuscitation, there were four deaths.

CONCLUSION

Severe sepsis can complicate stapled haemorrhoidopexy. Rectal perforation and peritonitis are a particular risk of this technique and the associated mortality rate is high.

Partial stapled hemorrhoidopexy versus circular stapled hemorrhoidopexy for grade III-IV prolapsing hemorrhoids: a two-year prospective controlled study

BACKGROUND

Circular stapled hemorrhoidopexy (CSH) is an effective technique for treating prolapsing hemorrhoids; but urgency and anal stenosis are common postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and postoperative outcomes of partial stapled hemorrhoidopexy (PSH), compared with CSH.

METHODS

Seventy-two consecutive patients with grade III and IV hemorrhoids who met the inclusion/exclusion criteria were divided in a non-randomized manner to undergo either PSH (n = 34) or CSH (n = 38). Intraoperative and postoperative parameters in both groups were collected and compared.

RESULTS

The postoperative visual analog score for pain at first defecation was significantly lower in the PSH group than that in the CSH group (P = 0.001). Fewer patients in the PSH group experienced postoperative urgency, compared with those in the CSH group at 12 h, 1 day, and 7 days after surgery (P = 0.025, P = 0.019, and P = 0.043, respectively). Gas incontinence occurred in 3 patients (7.9%) in the CSH group, but in none of patients in the PSH group (P = 0.242). Postoperative anal stenosis developed in one patient (2.6%) in the CSH group, but in none of the patients in the PSH group (P = 1.0). The 2-year recurrence rate was 2.9 and 5.3%, respectively, in the PSH and CSH groups (P = 1.0).

CONCLUSIONS

The 2-year recurrence rate is similar in patients with grade III-IV hemorrhoids treated with PSH or CSH. However, PSH is associated with less postoperative pain, fewer episodes of urgency, and no anal incontinence or anal stenosis.

Underlying functional bowel disorder may explain patient dissatisfaction after haemorrhoidal surgery

AIM

The aim of this study was to assess patient dissatisfaction and functional symptoms following haemorrhoid surgery, aspects of which are seldom covered in other published series.

METHOD

A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to 359 consecutive patients (prospective database; 198 men, 161 women; median follow up, 59 [1-120] months) who underwent either Milligan-Morgan haemorrhoidectomy (n=205) or stapled haemorrhoidopexy (n=154).

RESULTS

The response rate was 72%; 2.4% of patients had no opinion, 13.6% were dissatisfied, 33.0% were satisfied, and 51.0% were very satisfied with the treatment. Dissatisfied patients were more likely to be women and more likely to have a long history of constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. The duration of surgery and the rates of pre- and postoperative complications did not differ between groups. Residual bleeding (49% vs 32%), prolapse (67% vs 31%) and pain (91% vs 55%) occurred more frequently in the dissatisfied group compared with the satisfied group (P<0.001). Incontinence (4 [0-16] vs 1 [0-15]; P=0.0003) and constipation (19 [1-34] vs 8 [0-31]; P<0.0001) scores were significantly higher in the dissatisfied group compared with satisfied patients. Anal pain was the predominant symptom associated with dissatisfaction in a logistic regression model.

CONCLUSION

Persistent pain remains the major long-term factor associated with dissatisfaction after surgery for haemorrhoids.

Prospective randomized multicentre study comparing stapler haemorrhoidopexy with Doppler-guided transanal haemorrhoid dearterialization for third-degree haemorrhoids

AIM

Doppler-guided transanal haemorrhoid dearterialization (THD) and stapler haemorrhoidopexy (SH) have been demonstrated to be less painful than the Milligan-Morgan procedure. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of THD vs SH in the treatment of third-degree haemorrhoids in an equivalent trial.

METHOD

One hundred and sixty-nine patients with third-degree haemorrhoids were randomized online to receive THD (n = 85) or SH (n = 84) in 10 Colorectal Units in which the staff were well trained in both techniques. The mean follow-up period was 17 (range 15-20) months.

RESULTS

Early minor postoperative complications occurred in 30.6% of patients in the THD group and in 32.1% of patients in the SH group. Milder spontaneous pain and pain on defecation were reported in the THD group in the first postoperative week, but this was not statistically significant. Late complications were significantly higher (P = 0.028) in the SH group. Residual haemorrhoids persisted in 12 patients in the THD group and in six patients in the SH group (P = 0.14). Six patients in the SH group and 10 in the THD group underwent further treatment of haemorrhoids (P = 0.34). No differences were found in postoperative incontinence. The obstructed defecation score (ODS) was significantly higher in the SH group (P < 0.02). Improvement in quality of life was similar in both groups. Postoperative in-hospital stay was 1.14 days in the THD group and 1.31 days in the SH group (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

Both THD and SH techniques are effective for the treatment of third-degree haemorrhoids in the medium term. THD has a better cost-effective ratio and lower (not significant) pain compared with SH. Postoperative pain and recurrence did not differ significantly between the two groups.

Stapled hemorrhoidopexy, an innovative surgical procedure for hemorrhoidal prolapse: cost-utility analysis

Aim

To undertake full economic evaluation of stapled hemorrhoidopexy (PPH) to establish its cost-effectiveness and investigate whether PPH can become cost-saving compared to conventional excisional hemorrhoidectomy (CH).

Methods

A cost–utility analysis in hospital and health care system (UK) was undertaken using a probabilistic, cohort-based decision tree to compare the use of PPH with CH. Sensitivity analyses allowed showing outcomes in regard to the variations in clinical practice of PPH procedure. The participants were patients undergoing initial surgical treatment of third and fourth degree hemorrhoids within a 1-year time-horizon. Data on clinical effectiveness were obtained from a systematic review of the literature. Main outcome measures were the cost per procedure at the hospital level, total direct costs from the health care system perspective, quality adjusted life years (QALY) gained and incremental cost per QALY gained.

Results

A decrease in operating theater time and hospital stay associated with PPH led to a cost saving compared to CH of GBP 27 (US $43.11, €30.50) per procedure at the hospital level and to an incremental cost of GBP 33 (US $52.68, €37.29) after one year from the societal perspective. Calculation of QALYs induced an incremental QALY of 0.0076 and showed an incremental cost-effective ratio (ICER) of GBP 4316 (US $6890.47, €4878.37). Taking into consideration recent literature on clinical outcomes, PPH becomes cost saving compared to CH for the health care system.

Conclusions

PPH is a cost-effective procedure with an ICER of GBP 4136 and it seems that an innovative surgical procedure could be cost saving in routine clinical practice.