A systematic review of all randomized, controlled trials comparing stapled hemorrhoidopexy and conventional
hemorrhoidectomy with long-term results was performed by using the Cochrane methodology. The minimum follow-up was six months. Primary outcomes were
hemorrhoid recurrence,
hemorrhoid symptom recurrence, complications, and
pain.
RESULTS: Twelve trials were included. Follow-up varied from six months to four years. Conventional
hemorrhoidectomy was more effective in preventing long-term recurrence of
hemorrhoids (odds ratio (OR), 3.85; 95 percent confidence interval (CI), 1.47-10.07; P < 0.006). Conventional
hemorrhoidectomy also prevents
hemorrhoids in studies with follow-up of one year or more (OR, 3.6; 95 percent CI, 1.24-10.49; P < 0.02). Conventional
hemorrhoidectomy is superior in preventing the symptom of
prolapse (OR, 2.96; 95 percent CI, 1.33-6.58; P < 0.008). Conventional
hemorrhoidectomy also is more effective at preventing
prolapse in studies with follow-up of one year or more (OR, 2.68; 95 percent CI, 0.98-7.34; P < 0.05). Nonsignificant trends in favor of conventional
hemorrhoidectomy were seen in the proportion of asymptomatic patients,
bleeding, soiling/difficultly with hygiene/incontinence, the presence of perianal skin tags, and the need for further surgery. Nonsignificant trends in favor of stapled hemorrhoidopexy were seen in
pain,
pruritus ani, and symptoms of anal obstruction/
stenosis.
CONCLUSIONS: Conventional
hemorrhoidectomy is superior to stapled hemorrhoidopexy for prevention of postoperative recurrence of internal
hemorrhoids. Fewer patients who received conventional
hemorrhoidectomy complained of hemorrhoidal
prolapse in long-term follow-up compared with stapled hemorrhoidopexy.