A simple transfixion-ligation treatment of haemorrhoids

The complications which may occur after existing haemorrhoidectomy procedures are enumerated. A new cost-effective operative procedure which requires minimal facilities and entails anal dilatation with simple transfixion-ligation of all primary and secondary haemorrhoids in one operating session is described. The preoperative and postoperative progress of 56 patients with 2nd to 4th degree haemorrhoids managed by transfixion-ligation of the individual haemorrhoids are presented and evaluated. Postoperative complications were few and mild. Pain and duration of hospitalization were considerably reduced and anal stenosis/fibrosis, faecal/permanent flatus incontinence and recurrence of haemorrhoids were absent. The procedure is recommended for the treatment of all degrees of haemorrhoids especially in developing countries where patients' average income is low, hospitals have few experienced surgical personnel, inadequately equipped operating theatres and an insufficient number of beds.