ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the efficacy and complication of tissue selecting therapy stapler (TST) and procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH) in the treatment of severe hemorrhoids.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 542 cases of severe hemorrhoids undergoing TST (258 cases) or PPH (284 cases) in The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from November 2010 to January 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Operative parameters, efficacy and complication 3 months after operation were assessed and compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No significant difference in cure rate between TST and PPH (96.5% vs. 95.4%) was found, while the operation time and hospital stay after operation in TST group were significantly shorter urgency [(20.6±4.7) vs. (26.4±6.3) min, (2.9±0.5) vs. (3.5±0.7) d, both P<0.05]. Incidences of postoperative pain, bleeding, anal urgency and urinary retention in TST group were significantly lower than those in PPH group (all P<0.01). No anal stenosis was observed in TST group, and 5 cases developed anal stenosis in PPH group (P<0.05). Hemorrhoid recurrence did not differ significantly between the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The efficacy of TST and PPH is comparable for severe hemorrhoids patients, while TST is associated with faster postoperative recovery and less complications.</p>