title: Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy with radiofrequency versus classic diathermy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This randomized study compared results obtained with the Ferguson's technique for the treatment of hemorrhoids performed with a radiofrequency (RF) scalpel and traditional diathermy.
  
  
  METHODS
  28 patients affected by grade IV hemorrhoids were randomized to receive either the Ferguson operation with the RF scalpel (group A) or traditional diathermy (group B). The operating time, intra- and postoperative bleeding, postoperative pain, and overall patient satisfaction were all recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six patients (three for each group) did not attend follow-up controls. Group A showed a significant reduction of the surgical time (23 vs. 33 min; p < .01), pain at first postoperative day (Visual Analog Scale [VAS] score 3.4 vs. 4.8; p < .05), and at the first evacuation (3.4 vs. 5.0; p < .05). No significant differences were observed for the pain score at the seventh postoperative day, or overall satisfaction scores at the 7th postoperative day, and six months postoperatively (p = NS). No severe complications were recorded. Two patients in group A (18.2%) and four patients in group B (36.4%) reported transitory gas incontinence that spontaneously resolved within one month (p = NS). Three patients in group A (27.3%) and four patients in group B (36.4%) required postoperative catheterization due to urinary retention (p = NS).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RF scalpel shortens the operating time of the Ferguson operation and is less painful in the early postoperative period.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy. v.filingeri@tiscali.it
authors.forename: Vincenzino
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Filingeri
authors.forename: Gianpiero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gravante
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Overton
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Toti
mesh_terms: D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006484:Hemorrhoids / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome