Randomized controlled trial comparing rubber band ligation with stapled haemorrhoidopexy for Grade II circumferential haemorrhoids: long-term results

Citation

Shanmugam V, Muthukumarasamy G, Cook JA, Vale L, Watson A & Loudon MA (2010) Randomized controlled trial comparing rubber band ligation with stapled haemorrhoidopexy for Grade II circumferential haemorrhoids: long-term results. Colorectal Disease, 12 (6), pp. 579-586. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1463-1318.2009.01841.x

Abstract
Objective: An improved understanding of the pathophysiology of haemorrhoids has resulted in the introduction of new surgical techniques including stapled haemorrhoidopexy (SH). This randomized controlled trial compared the long-term effectiveness of SH with rubber band ligation (RBL) in the treatment of grade II circumferential symptomatic haemorrhoids. Method: A consecutive cohort of patients was randomly allocated to either SH or RBL. Data on haemorrhoidal symptoms, Cleveland continence scores, sphincter assessment, SF-36, EQ-5D, HAD score and prior treatment history were assessed at enrolment and reassessed by long-term postal questionnaire. The details were analysed using spssTM 12.0 from MicrosoftTM Access®. Results: Sixty patients were allocated by computer block randomization. Both groups were balanced for age, sex and symptoms. Recurrence favoured SH [3 vs 11; OR 0.18, 95% CI (0.03 to 0.86), P = 0.028] at 1 year and, at a mean of 40.67 (31-47) months [4 vs 12; OR 0.23, 95% CI (0.05, 0.95); P = 0.039]. SH patients experienced prolonged pain [Median (IQR) = 7 (5,7) vs 3 (1,7), P = 0.008] and took a longer time to return to work [6 (3,7) vs 3 (1,6) days, P = 0.018]. This was no significant difference in quality of life. Conclusion: Stapled haemorrhoidopexy achieved better disease control at 1 year without any major complication. This was sustained in the long-term. Further studies with greater patient numbers are needed to confirm this study.

Keywords
Haemorrhoids; stapled haemorrhoidopexy; rubber band ligation; randomized controlled trial

Journal
Colorectal Disease: Volume 12, Issue 6