Early complications after stapled hemorrhoidopexy: a retrospective study comparing three different circular staplers

A retrospective analysis was performed to assess differences between three devices used for stapled hemorrhoidopexy (SH) in terms of early complications and complaints and the volume of excised tissue.

All patients who underwent an elective SH from January 2008 to December 2014 were included. Three different devices were used: the PPH03 stapler (Ethicon EndoSurgery, Diegem, Belgium) and the Chex^TM CPH32 and CPH34 staplers (Frankenman International Ltd, Hong Kong, China). The demographic data were reviewed as well as indications for surgery. The volume of the excised tissue was determined by reviewing the anatomopathologic reports. We assessed early postoperative complications and complaints and compared the rate of complications between the three used devices.

From 1 January 2008 to 30 December 2014, 253 patients underwent a SH using three different devices. One hundred and seventy-four patients were treated with the PPH03 stapler, 51 with the Chex^TM CPH32 stapler and 28 with the Chex^TM CPH34 stapler. Postoperatively, 28.5% of patients experienced minor early complications. There was no difference in complication rates between the three different devices, except for the occurrence of postoperative stenosis with more stricture formation when using the CPH32 stapler (p < 0.0001). The volume of tissue excised by the Chex^TM CPH32 and CPH34 staplers was significantly larger than in the PPH03 group (18.19 ± 9.67 mL; 25.53 ± 13.99 mL; 11.63 ± 5.66 mL; p < 0.0001).

Postoperative anal stenosis was more common after circular stapled hemorrhoidopexy with the ChexTM CPH32 stapler.