Comparison of early and 1-year follow-up results of conventional hemorrhoidectomy and hemorrhoid artery ligation: a randomized study

Background and aims. Doppler-guided hemorrhoid artery ligation is a new approach for treating hemorrhoids. Early and 1-year follow-up results of the procedure are presented and compared with those of closed scissors hemorrhoidectomy in a prospective randomized study.<LF>Patients and methods. Sixty consecutively recruited patients were randomized into two groups: group A (n=30) was treated with standardized closed scissors hemorrhoidectomy and group B (n=30) with Doppler-guided hemorrhoid artery ligation. The follow-up period was 11.7+/-4.6 months.<LF>Results. The average need for minor analgesics was 11.7+/-12.6 doses in group A and 2.9+/-7.7 in group B. Patients in group A spent 62.9+/-29.0 hours in hospital postoperatively and those in group B 19.8+/-41.8 hours. Return to normal daily activities took 24.9+/-24.5 days in group A and 3.0+/-5.5 days in group B. Neither the disappearance (26 vs. 25 patients) nor the recurrence of preoperative symptoms (5 vs. 6 patients) differed significantly between the two groups. Conclusion. Both procedures were effective in treating hemorrhoids. The 1-year results of Doppler-guided hemorrhoid artery ligation do not differ from those of closed scissors hemorrhoidectomy. Doppler-guided hemorrhoid artery ligation seems to be ideal for 1-day surgery, and it fulfills the requirements of minimally invasive surgery.