Randomized comparison between stapled hemorrhoidopexy and ferguson hemorrhoidectomy for grade III hemorrhoids in Taiwan : a prospective study

• Published in: International journal of colorectal disease 2007-08, Vol.22 (8), p.955-961
• Main Authors: HUANG, Wen-Shih, CHIN, Chih-Chien, YEH, Chung-Hung, LIN, Paul Y, WANG, Jeng-Yi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Loss, Surgical; Digestive System Surgical Procedures - adverse effects; Digestive System Surgical Procedures - methods; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Hemorrhoids - surgery; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Length of Stay; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Other diseases. Semiology; Pain Measurement; Pain, Postoperative - etiology; Patient Satisfaction; Postoperative Hemorrhage - etiology; Prospective Studies; Secondary Prevention; Severity of Illness Index; Sick Leave; Stomach, duodenum, intestine, rectum, anus; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the digestive system; Surgical Stapling - adverse effects; Suture Techniques - adverse effects; Taiwan; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0179-1958; 1432-1262
• DOI: 10.1007/s00384-006-0244-0

Short-term and mid-term outcomes of stapled hemorrhoidopexy (SH) were compared with those for Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy (FH) for treating hemorrhoids. Patients with prolapsed hemorrhoids were randomized into two groups treated with SH (N = 300) and FH (N = 296) at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Chiayi in Taiwan between January 2002 and December 2004. The outcomes of the procedures were evaluated postoperatively (short-term, i.e., intra-/postoperative conditions, hospital stay, pain intensity scoring, time off work, and procedure-related morbidity) and over a follow-up period of minimum 18 months (mid-term, i.e., relapse of prolapse and/or bleeding, anal stricture, anal sepsis, and the acceptability of the procedures to the patients). SH was superior to FH in operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pain intensity, and return to work. Based on telephone interviews over the follow-up period, most patients who received SH appreciated the procedure better than those with FH. This study confirms that SH generates less postoperative suffering, less time off work, and more complete resolution of primary symptoms associated with hemorrhoids in the mid-term follow-up than FH.