Clinical experience of sutureless closed hemorrhoidectomy with LigaSure™

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the LigaSure(TM) vessel sealing system as an alternative to closed hemorrhoidectomy. METHODS: Sixty-one patients with Grade 3 or 4 symptomatic hemorrhoids were prospectively randomly assigned to undergo hemorrhoidectomy with the LigaSure(TM) vessel sealing system or hemorrhoidectomy using the conventional Ferguson procedure. We determined the operation time, postoperative pain, amount of time taken off from work, and complications associated with both techniques. RESULTS: Mean operative time for the LigaSure(TM) hemorrhoidectomy was 15 +/- 5.4 minutes and for the Ferguson operation, 21.2 +/- 8.2 minutes. The difference was significant (P < 0.01). There was also a significant decrease in pain measurements reported on postoperative Days 1 and 2 (P < 0.05) in the LigaSure(TM) group. The incidence of postoperative wound swelling and complications were similar between two groups. There was no difference in the period of time off from work between patient groups. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that LigaSure(TM) system can achieve a radical ablation of hemorrhoids, reduce operative time, and result in less postoperative pain on postoperative Days 1 and 2.