[Laser hemorrhoidectomy]

Thirty-two patients are subjected to operation using CO2 laser. In nine of them laser submucous hemorrhoidectomy is performed--a procedure also developed in the Department of Abdominal Surgery. Most patients operated by the method of Milligan--Morgan and Whitehead with laser define the postoperative pain as medium severe. Eight of 9 patients, operated after the method of submucous hemorrhoidectomy using laser clamps, estimate the pain as mild, and one--as medium severe. The patients are followed up over periods ranging from six months to three years. Assessment of the late postoperative results show recurrence of the disease in one case (3.12 per cent), operated according to Milligan--Morgan. Stenosis of the anus as a complication of Whitehead's operation is recorded in one case, and sensory incontinence--similarly in one (totalling 6.25 per cent).