title: Circumferential mucosectomy (stapled haemorrhoidectomy) versus conventional haemorrhoidectomy: randomised controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Haemorrhoidectomy is commonly an inpatient procedure because it is frequently associated with postoperative pain. Day case haemorrhoidectomy is a similar operation to that used on inpatients but with different strategies for managing postoperative pain. Circumferential mucosectomy (stapled haemorrhoidectomy) may be associated with less postoperative pain than conventional haemorrhoidectomy. We compared stapled haemorrhoidectomy with conventional haemorrhoidectomy in patients with third degree haemorrhoids.
  
  
  METHODS
  We randomly assigned 22 patients to conventional haemorrhoidectomy by the diathermy dissection or to stapled haemorrhoidectomy with the use of an intraluminal stapling device. Patients were discharged when free of pain, took co-codamol as required, completed visual analogue charts each day, and were assessed at 1 and 6 weeks postoperatively for symptom control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients received the assigned treatment. Mean inpatient stay was lower in the group assigned to stapled as opposed to conventional haemorrhoidectomy (1.09 [0.3] vs 2.82 [0.09] nights, p<0.001), experienced less pain overall (p=0.003), and returned to normal activities sooner (8.1 [1.53] vs 16.9 [2.33] days, p<0.005). Stapled haemorrhoidectomy controlled symptoms of prolapse, discharge and bleeding in all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stapled haemorrhoidectomy is an effective treatment for third degree haemorrhoids with significant advantages for patients compared with conventional haemorrhoidectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastrointestinal and General Surgery, Leicester Royal Infirmary, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rowsell
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bello
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Hemingway
mesh_terms: D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006484:Hemorrhoids / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000601:surgery; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D012005:Rectal Prolapse / Q000601:surgery; D013528:Surgical Staplers; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*