A randomized clinical trial comparing Ligasure versus stapled hemorrhoidectomy

Stapled hemorrhoidectomy (SH) and Ligasure hemorrhoidectomy (LH) are standard for hemorrhoidal disease treatment, but the surgical principle is different. This randomized clinical trial compared the 2 methods. We included 98 patients with grade 3 hemorrhoidal disease: 46 patients treated by SH and 52 patients by LH. Incidence of complications, recurrence, postoperative pain, wound healing time, and time off everyday activity were observed. The follow-up period was 24 months. We found that LH has a significantly shorter wound healing time. The recurrence rate and the overall postoperative complication rate was higher after SH but not significantly (recurrence LH vs. SH: 1.9% vs. 11.1%; complications LH vs. SH: 13.5% vs. 23.9%). Postoperative pain level, analgesic consumption, and time off everyday activity were practically the same in both groups. Both procedures can be used to treat grade 3 hemorrhoidal disease with the same efficacy, but analysis of recurrence after SH is necessary.