title: Randomized clinical trial of stapled haemorrhoidopexy versus conventional diathermy haemorrhoidectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to compare the results of stapled haemorrhoidopexy (commonly called stapled haemorrhoidectomy) with those of conventional diathermy haemorrhoidectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-five patients with symptomatic third- and fourth-degree haemorrhoids were randomized to either stapled haemorrhoidopexy (n = 27) or conventional diathermy haemorrhoid ectomy (n = 28). Operating time, postoperative pain, time to return to work, postoperative complications and effectiveness of haemorrhoidal symptom control were recorded. The mean follow-up was 15.9 months in the stapled haemorrhoidopexy group and 15.2 months in the conventional haemorrhoidectomy group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean pain intensity was significantly less in the stapled group (P = 0.001). There were no significant differences in the total number of complications, the length of absence from work or control of symptoms. Seven patients in the stapled group re-presented with prolapse compared with none in the conventional haemorrhoidectomy group (P = 0.004). This difference was also observed in the subset of patients with fourth-degree haemorrhoids (P = 0.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The stapled operation was significantly less painful than conventional haemorrhoidectomy. However, the rate of recurrent prolapse was higher after stapled haemorrhoidopexy than after conventional diathermy haemorrhoidectomy.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Coloproctology, Department of Surgery, Hospital Virgen del Camino, Irunlarrea 4, E-31008 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain. HHORTIZ@teleline.es
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ortiz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marzo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Armendariz
mesh_terms: D003972:Diathermy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006484:Hemorrhoids / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012005:Rectal Prolapse / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D017792:Surgical Stapling / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome