title: Long-term results after stapled haemorrhoidopexy for third-degree haemorrhoids.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stapled haemorrhoidopexy (SH) is associated with low postoperative pain but, when performed for advanced piles, carries high recurrence rates. The aim of our study was to assess our long-term results after SH for third-degree haemorrhoids.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 126 consecutive patients (67 men and 59 women) with third-degree haemorrhoids underwent SH in our unit between 1998 and 2002. Of these, 120 (95.2%) were followed up in the outpatient department after a median interval of 61.5 months (range, 38-84 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the postoperative period, 7 patients (5.8%) experienced pain for 5-12 days, which was treated with oral analgesia. Seven patients (5.8%) experienced gas incontinence and one of them also reported soiling; the incontinence subsided within 2-8 weeks. Recurrence of the haemorrhoidal disease occurred in 8 patients (6.6%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SH is a safe, low-pain and, in the long-term, effective technique for the treatment of third-degree haemorrhoids.
authors.affiliation: 4th Surgical Department, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece. ik@hol.gr
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kanellos
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zacharakis
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kanellos
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Pramateftakis
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsachalis
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Betsis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006484:Hemorrhoids / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017792:Surgical Stapling / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome