Ambulatory hemorrhoidectomy with CO2 laser.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to evaluate ambulatory hemorrhoidectomy using the CO2 laser.


METHODS
Ninety consecutive patients (50 males, 40 females), 80 percent of whom had second or third degree hemorrhoids, had ambulatory hemorrhoidectomy performed with a CO2 laser in the left lateral Sims position under local anesthesia and intravenous sedation. Dissection was entirely performed with the CO2 laser using an open technique.


RESULTS
One patient with polycythemia vera was admitted subsequently for secondary hemorrhage. All but three patients had healed within four weeks. No long-term sequelae were encountered.


CONCLUSIONS
These results compare favorably with those obtained by others and show that ambulatory laser hemorrhoidectomy may simplify management in selected patients.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D004210:Dissection; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000601:surgery; D006484:Hemorrhoids / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011087:Polycythemia Vera / Q000150:complications; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D014945:Wound Healing
D002245:Carbon Dioxide