Early outcomes of stapled vs conventional hemorrhoidectomy

Aim: to compare the early post-operative outcomes in patients with stapled hemorrhoidectomy versus conventional hemorrhoidectomy. study design: randomized clinical trial. place and duration of study: general surgery unit of bolan medical complex hospital quetta from january 2016 to january 2017. methods:100 patients of grade iii or iv hemorrhoids were selected. the patients were divided into two equal groups to undergo either stapled (sh) or conventional hemorrhoidectomy (ch). main study endpoints were severity of post-operative pain,and hospital stay and time to return to work after surgery. results: the mean age of study participants was 43.96±7.42 years in sh group and 43.12±6.25 years in ch group. there was male predominance in both groups. majority of patients were with grade iii hemorrhoids. duration of surgery was significantly less 42.24±6.89 minutes in sh versus 55.23±8.76 minutes in ch (p-value <0.001). mean pain score and hospital stay was also significant in stapled hemorrhoidectomy with p-value <0.001 <0.001 respectively. time to return to work was also significantly less in sh group 8.23±2.50 days versus 17.84±3.69 days in ch group (p-value <0.001). there were 20 (40%) patients with severe post-operative pain in conventional hemorrhoidectomy group and only 4 (8.0%) patients in stapled hemorrhoidectomy group (p-value <0.001). conclusion:stapled hemorrhoidectomy is associated with less post-operative pain and is associated with early return to work after surgery.