Evidence-based practice in haemorrhoidectomy

Haemorrhoidectomy has proven long-term efficacy in the treatment of haemorrhoids, albeit at the price of increased pain and complications compared with other modalities. This study reviews the literature and describes best practice in the surgical treatment of haemorrhoids.

A Medline search was conducted using the keywords haemorrhoids or haemorrhoidectomy to identify clinical trials comparing different surgical treatments for haemorrhoids.

Many studies were small and follow up was often short-term only. Surrogate measures such as post-operative pain scores and changes in anorectal physiology were commonly assessed in preference to efficacy in symptom reduction. Haemorrhoidectomy may be safely performed under general, local or regional anaesthesia according to patient fitness and local practice. Results of randomized controlled trials indicate that there open and closed techniques of haemorrhoidectomy are equivalent. There is no evidence to support the practice of laser haemorrhoidectomy. Diathermy haemorrhoidectomy achieves good haemostasis and permits an anal dressing to be omitted, but is not superior to conventional techniques. The use of preoperative lactulose and post-operative oral metronidazole is supported by randomized controlled trials.

Haemorrhoidectomy is currently the most effective treatment for prolapsing haemorrhoids. There is little evidence to support the use of one surgical technique over another. With attention to detail and adjuncts to reduce post-operative pain, haemorrhoidectomy may be performed as day surgery.