title: [Hemorrhoidectomy: conventional or by Nd:Yag contact laser? A prospective and randomized study].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess whether hemorrhoidectomy done with the Nd:YAG laser was associated with less pain or fewer complications and sequels than with conventional surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective comparative, randomized study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over a period of six months, a total of 35 consecutive patients, 13 females and 22 males, with symptomatic hemorrhoidal disease requiring surgery, were alternatively randomized to either laser hemorrhoidectomy (17 patients) or surgery (18 patients). The type of disease and the number of affected and treated hemorrhoids were prospectively recorded in each patient. Patients were monitored prospectively for postoperative complications, pain (assessed daily for five days using a standard 10 mm. linear analogue scale), wound healing, time until full recovery and sequelae 6 moths later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  These two groups were well matched. No differences were seen between laser and non-laser groups for postoperative complications. Linear analogue pain scores were not significantly different between the two groups at any stage after operation. Healing time was longer in laser group. Two few patients returned at 6 months for rectoscopy for any meaningful conclusion to be drawn.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has failed to confirm any reduction in postoperative pain, complications, or healing time laser when performing a hemorrhoidectomy.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Cirugía Digestiva y Coloproctología, Hospital Ruber Internacional, Madrid.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Enriquez-Navascues
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Devesa Múgica
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bucheli Proaño
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006484:Hemorrhoids / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies
vernacular_title: Hemorroidectomía: convencional o con láser Nd:YAG de contacto? Estudio prospectivo y randomizado.