title: One year follow up of a randomized trial comparing Ligasure with open haemorrhoidectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ligasure haemorrhoidectomy is an effective treatment for prolapsing haemorrhoids, however, concerns exist regarding potential damage to the anal sphincters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients previously included into a randomized trial comparing open and Ligasure haemorrhoidectomy were contacted by postal questionnaire to evaluate their overall satisfaction and continence at 12 months post operatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen patients who underwent open and 17 who underwent Ligasure haemorrhoidectomy were evaluated. Three patients from the open group and 2 from the Ligasure group were unhappy with the result (P = 0.37) and minor incontinence was reported in 5 Ligasure and 2 open patients (P = 0.42).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patient satisfaction and post operative continence scores at 1 year post operatively are comparable for open and Ligasure haemorrhoidectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, Essex, UK. dannylawes@hotmail.com
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Lawes
authors.forename: F F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Palazzo
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Clifton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000209:etiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006484:Hemorrhoids / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects