Treatment of prolapsed hemorrhoids with circular stapler

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of circumferential mucosectomy procedure for treatment of prolapsed hemorrhoids(PPH). Methods From June 2001 to June 2003, 74 patients(27 men and 47 women) with an average age of 57 years(ranging from 31 to 80 years), with prolapsed hemorrhoids Ⅲ～Ⅳ degree underwent PPH using a circular stapler. Results 69(93.2%)patients were fully satisfied with results. Two patients underwent simultaneous rectal polypectomy along with PPH hence required analgesic treatment for 5 days. Three patients experienced bleeding during or after operation, 1 case bleeding was due to ulcerative hemorrhoid, while the bleeding the remaining 2 cases was (bleeding about 300 ml)caused by insufficient anastomosis, thus extending operating time to 1 hour. The average operation time (70 patients) was 13 minutes(range 10～15 minutes). The mean hospitalization was 3.5 days(2～4 days), with exception of 2 patients lasting 1 week. Conclusion PPH is a safe, effective and rapid method for treatment of prolapsed hemorrhoids, The procedure causes minimal pain with decreased complications.