Day case stapled anopexy for the treatment of haemorrhoids and rectal mucosal prolapse

Stapled anopexy (SA) gives better early postoperative results than classical haemorrhoidectomy. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that SA is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of haemorrhoids and rectal mucose prolapse in a day-case surgery programme.

From January 2000 to December 2008, 297 SA procedures were performed; 230 (77.4%) were performed in the Day Surgery Unit (DSU). Third- and fourth-degree haemorrhoids, second-degree haemorrhoids with no response to conservative treatment and several cases of rectal prolapse were included. The mean age of the patients in the series was 48.1 years (range 21-85). Preoperative preparation included phosphate enemas and antibiotic prophylaxis. Patients were operated on mainly under spinal anaesthesia. Day-case rate, postoperative pain (measured by a visual analogic scale, 1-10), admissions, re-admissions, early postoperative situation and recurrence were evaluated in the study.

The overall DSU rate was 78%, with a progressive increase from 46% to 99% in 2008. One hundred and eighty-five patients (80%) had pain scores under 2; no patient had a pain score over 7. Eighteen (8%) patients required admission on the day of surgery. Late admission was needed for 3 (3%) patients. Thirty-three patients reported their situation as excellent, 174 as good, 20 as acceptable and three as bad when they answered a phone questionnaire 24 h after surgery. Overall, 20 (9%) patients had recurrence of symptoms.

SA is a safe and effective procedure for prolapsing haemorrhoids in the day case setting. The recurrence rate is higher than that observed in classical haemorrhoidectomy. Most patients can be managed as day-cases.