Stapled hemorrhoidectomy for circular haemorrhoidal prolapse: Early and late results

Objective: To evaluate early and late results after stapled hemorrholdectomy in the colorectal subunit of the third department of surgery in Vilnius University Hospital "Santariskiu klinikos" Central Branch. Patients and methods: 29 patients underwent stapled hemorrhoidectorny over a period of four years (from December 2001 to January 2005). 26 patients had third and 3 patients had fourth degree circular hemorrhoidal prolapse. There were 15 females and 14 males, age range from 32 to 80 years (mean 54 years). The PPH kit (Procedure for prolapsed hemorrhoids), Ethicon, Johnson and Johnson was used. Operations lasted from 10 to 40 minutes, on average 30 minutes. Results: The mean in-hospital stay was 5 days (2-8). No surgical complications occurred. Analgesic medications were needed for 21 patients, on average for 2 days (1-3). Prolonged pain was observed in two patients who required analgesic medications for 7 and 10 days. Patients resumed their routine activities on the 8th postoperative day (5-14 days). After one year, 19 of 24 (79.2%) patients regarded their operation as good or very good, 3 (12.5%) as satisfactory and two (8.3%) as bad: in those patients one had recurrent prolapse, another one had recurrent bleeding, the third one had bleeding and thrombotic episodes. One patient had died of the causes unrelated to the operation, and the other four were out of reach. Conclusions: Our experience shows that stapled hemorrhoidectomy is safe and effective. Late follow-up results are good.