Analysis of Surgical Treatments for Circumferentially Protruding Haemorrhoids: Complete Excision with Repair Using Flaps Versus Primary Excision with Secondary Suture-ligation

BackgroundCircumferentially protruding haemorrhoids (CPH) are troublesome lesions for both patients and surgeons, and in most cases demand surgical intervention. However, such surgery carries the risks of complications and recurrence. This study compared two surgical procedures in order to identify the optimal approach for CPH.MethodsAll patients underwent an open haemorrhoidectomy for primary haemorrhoids, after which patients underwent either of the two procedures for secondary haemorrhoids. Group 1 (n = 104) comprised patients who underwent submucosal excision with repair using remnant anodermal flaps; this procedure was performed between 1991 and 1996. Group 2 (n = 113) comprised patients who underwent suture-ligation; this procedure was performed between 1997 and 2002. Surgical outcomes including surgical variables, wound healing, complications and patient satisfaction were compared between the two groups.ResultsFor group 2, surgical time and duration of analgesic use (mean ± SEM, 22 ± 0 minutes and 3 ± 0 days, respectively) were significantly shorter than for group 1 (28 ± 1 minutes and 4 ± 0 days, respectively; p < 0.001 for both comparisons). In terms of complication rates, there was no significant difference between group 2 (15 patients, 14%) and group 1 (25 patients, 22%), and most complications were satisfactorily treated using conservative management. Skin tags and perianal abscesses were more frequent in group 1 than in group 2. The final follow-up was undertaken at 6 months postoperatively, at which time there were no recurrences in patients of either group. For both groups, over 90% of patients reported that they were satisfied with the outcome of surgery.ConclusionAlthough both surgical approaches were successful for treating CPH, open haemorrhoidectomy for primary haemorrhoids combined with suture-ligation for secondary haemorrhoids appears to be the optimal approach considering its rapidity, simplicity and lower associated costs.