title: Randomized clinical trial of LigaSure and conventional diathermy haemorrhoidectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this randomized prospective trial was to compare LigaSure and conventional diathermy haemorrhoidectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and eighty-four patients with grade III or IV haemorrhoids were randomized to LigaSure or diathermy (Milligan-Morgan) haemorrhoidectomy as a day-case procedure. Operating time, postoperative pain score, hospital stay, postoperative complications, wound healing time and time to return to normal activities were assessed. Thirty-four patients were lost to follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean operating time for LigaSure haemorrhoidectomy was significantly shorter than that for diathermy (P = 0.011). Patients treated with LigaSure had significantly less postoperative pain (measured on a visual analogue scale; P = 0.010), a shorter wound healing time (defined as time to absence of swelling; P = 0.012) and less time off work (P = 0.010) than patients who had diathermy. Neither postoperative complications nor mean hospital stay (day-case surgery) were significantly different.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LigaSure haemorrhoidectomy demonstrates simplicity, reproducibility, a low complication rate, fast wound healing, a quick return to work and reduced postoperative pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome, Italy. marcog.muzi@ptvonline.it
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Muzi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Milito
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nigro
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cadeddu
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Andreoli
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Amabile
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Farinon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003972:Diathermy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006484:Hemorrhoids / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008026:Ligation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology