title: A randomised trial comparing submucosal haemorrhoidectomy with radiofrequency bistoury vs. diathermic haemorrhoidectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Haemorrhoid disease has become more and more frequent during the past years among western populations. Great attention has been paid in development of surgical procedures, in order to reduce post-operative pain (the main adverse effect of surgical treatment for haemorrhoids) and shorten execution time and hospital stay. This randomised clinical study compares the results obtained using submucosal haemorrhoidectomy with radiofrequency vs. diathermic haemorrhoidectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one patients were randomised to undergo submucosal haemorrhoidectomy with radiofrequency bistoury (16 patients, Group A) or diathermic haemorrhoidectomy (15 patients, Group B). The operating time, amount of pain and postoperative analgesic requirement, intra and post-operative complications and patient satisfaction were documented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean values for operative time have been 35.8 min for group A and 23.2 min for group B. According to pain score, patients' mean values for first day postoperative pain were 3.8 (A) and 5.8 (B). Pain at first evacuation 4.7 (A) and 6.5 (B). Pain at 7th postoperative day was 2.3 (A) and 3.7 (B). Patient's postoperative satisfaction rate was 6.0 (A) vs. 5.2 (B) at 3rd day and 6.7 (A) and 5.7 (B) at 6 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In spite of relatively difficult execution and longer operating times, submucosal haemorrhoidectomy with radiofrequency bistoury appears to be the most precise and accurate treatment for IV degree haemorrhoids. Performing submucosal haemorrhoidectomy with radiofrequency bistoury allows us to reduce postoperative pain, bleeding and shorten hospital stay.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Filingeri
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gravante
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baldessari
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Craboledda
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bellati
authors.forename: C U
authors.initials: CU
authors.lastname: Casciani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods*; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006484:Hemorrhoids / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011846:Radio Waves; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome