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Introduction Although effective, conventional excisional haemorrhoidectomy (CEH) may be associated with significant postoperative pain. Novel techniques such as transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) are suggested to reduce pain, but may result in higher recurrence rates. We aimed to compare short and long-term outcomes of CEH and THD in the present meta-analysis. Methods A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis was performed, searching PubMed, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from 1995 until December 2022. The primary objective was recurrence. Secondary objectives included complication rates, length of stay (LOS), operative time and time to return to baseline. Random-effects models were used to calculate pooled effect size estimates. Subgroup analysis was also performed. Results 6 RCTs encompassing 465 patients were captured. There were 142 (59%) males in the CEH group and 129 (54%) in the THD group.. On random effects analysis, THD had a higher recurrence rate (OR = 2.76, 95% CI = 1.03 to 7.38, p = 0.04) albeit a shorter return to baseline comparative to CEH (MD = -14.05 days, 95% CI = -20.38 to -7.72, p < 0.0001). There were no differences in bleeding (p = 0.12), urinary retention (p = 0.97), incontinence (p = 0.41), anal stenosis (p = 0.19), thrombosed residual haemorrhoids (p = 0.16), operating time (p = 0.19) or LOS (p = 0.22). Results remained similar on subgroup analysis. Conclusions CEH is associated with lower recurrence rates and no difference in complication rate to THD, although patients take longer to return to baseline function postoperatively.
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BACKGROUND: Rectovaginal fistulae (RVF) are notoriously challenging to treat. Martius flap (MF) is a technique employed to manage RVF, among various others, with none being universally successful. We aimed to assess the outcomes of RVF managed with MF interposition. METHODS: A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis searching for all studies specifically reporting on the outcomes of MF for RVF was performed. The primary objective was the mean success rate, whilst secondary objectives included complications and recurrence. The MedCalc software (version 20.118) was used to conduct proportional meta-analyses of data. Weighted mean values with 95% CI are presented and stratified according to aetiology where possible. RESULTS: Twelve non-randomized (11 retrospective, 1 prospective) studies, assessing 137 MF were included. The mean age of the study population was 42.4 (±15.7), years. There were 44 primary and 93 recurrent RVF. The weighted mean success rate for MF when performed for primary RVF was 91.4% (95% CI: 79.45-98.46; I2 = 32.1%; P = 0.183) and that for recurrent RVF was 77.5% (95% CI: 62.24-89.67; I2 = 58.1%; P = 0.008). The weighted mean complication rate was 29% (95% CI: 8.98-54.68; I2 = 85.4%; P < 0.0001) and the overall recurrence rate was 12.0% (95% CI: 5.03-21.93; I2 = 52.3%; P = 0.021). When purely radiotherapy-induced RVF were evaluated, the mean overall success rate was 94.6% (95% CI: 83.33-99.75; I2 = 0%; P = 0.350). CONCLUSIONS: MF interposition appears to be more effective for primary than recurrent RVF. However, the poor quality of the data limits definitive conclusions being drawn and demands further assessment with randomized studies.