Follow-up confirms sustained benefit of circumferential stapled anoplasty in the management of prolapsing haemorrhoids.

BACKGROUND: Circumferential stapled anoplasty is gaining popularity as a safe and effective treatment in the surgical management of haemorrhoids and mucosal prolapse. However, little is known about the medium- and long-term durability of this procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the medium-term results of stapled anoplasty in maintaining symptom remission and to identify possible procedure-related adverse effects. METHODS: Of a consecutive series of 85 stapled anoplasties in 83 patients, 64 patients were eligible for 6-month review; 50 patients were seen in surgical outpatient clinics and seven were contacted by telephone. All patients attending the outpatient clinic were questioned about current symptoms and overall satisfaction with the procedure. The staple line was palpated digitally and inspected at proctoscopy. RESULTS: Median (interquartile range) symptom scores were 6 (5--8) before operation compared with 0 (0--1) at 6 months (P < 0.01). There was no deterioration in symptoms between 6-week and 6-month follow-up. No recurrences and no procedure-related adverse effects, in particular impaired continence or persistent anal pain, were identified. CONCLUSION: The initial promising results of circumferential stapled anoplasty in effectively treating haemorrhoidal symptoms appear to be sustained at 6-month follow-up.