Complications, recurrences, early and late reoperations after stapled haemorrhoidopexy: lessons learned from 1,233...

The purpose of the study was to analyse the outcomes of all patients requiring a reoperation after an initial circular stapled haemorrhoidopexy (SH) for prolapsing haemorrhoids.

Data of all patients undergoing a circular SH from 1998 thru 2007 available in a prospectively collected database were reviewed, and all patients who had reoperations were studied.

During the study period, 1,233 patients (551 females, median age 52 years) underwent a circular SH. Complete follow-up was available in all patients (median follow-up 7 months, range 0.5-100); 127 patients (10.3%) required one or more reoperations. Early reoperations (<30 days) were necessary in 47 patients (3.8%), and 45 (3.6%) were stapler-related complications. Late reoperations (>30 days) were performed in 84 patients (6.8%) and 57 (4.6%) were stapler-related. A learning curve was observed with significant reduction of early (<30 days) and late (>30 days) reoperation rate with time.

Reoperations after SH are necessary in about 10% of the patients. The majority of the reoperations are due to either complications arising from circular SH, recurrent/persistent haemorrhoidal symptoms or other anorectal issues not addressed by the circular SH procedure (3.8% early; 6.8% late). Circular SH appears to be an effective procedure for symptomatic haemorrhoidal disease; however, training and learning curve issues should be addressed to minimise treatment failures.