Prospective, randomized trial comparing diathermy and Harmonic Scalpel® hemorrhoidectomy

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare diathermy and Harmonic Scalpel(R) hemorrhoidectomy. METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups: Group 1 (diathermy) and Group 2 (Harmonic Scalpel(R)) RESULTS: The median duration of surgery was 10 minutes for both groups. The median number of pethidine injections used for both groups was zero. The median number of oral analgesic tablets taken was 13 by Group 1 and 14 by Group 2 patients. The median number of tubes of lidocaine jelly used was two by Group 1 and three by Group 2. There mas no statistical difference between pain scores recorded by both groups. Five patients in Group 1 developed posthemorrhoidectomy bleed vs. one patient in Group 2 (P = NS), CONCLUSION: Hemorrhoidectomy by Harmonic Scalpel(R) is comparable to diathermy hemorrhoidectomy in terms of postoperative pain and complications.