[Consensus of Chinese experts on treatment of prolapsed hemorrhoids with transanal stapler].

Prolapsed hemorrhoids is a common clinical disease, and severe symptoms can significantly affect work and life. The transanal stapler has the advantages of simple operation and less trauma in treating prolapsed hemorrhoids. Its clinical efficacy is closely related to the selection of indications, the standardization of surgical operations, and the prevention and treatment of complications. In current clinical practice, there is no consensus on the treatment of prolapsed hemorrhoids with transanal stapler. Hence a discussion was held by the Professional Committee of Colorectal Diseases of Chinese Society of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, concerning the indications, contraindications, operating specifications and perioperative management of prolapsed hemorrhoids. A consensus was consequently formed, aiming to provide a guideline for the clinical practice.

Comparison of the short-term outcomes of using DST and PPH staplers in the treatment of grade III and IV hemorrhoids.

Stapled hemorrhoidopexy has a few advantages such as less postoperative pain and faster recovery compared with conventional hemorrhoidectomy. There are two major devices used for stapled hemorrhoidopexy, PPH stapler (Ethicon EndoSurgery) and DST stapler (Covidien). This study was conducted to investigate the postoperative outcomes among patients with grade III and IV hemorrhoids who underwent hemorrhoidopexy with either of these two devices. A total of 242 consecutive patients underwent stapled hemorrhoidopexy with either PPH stapler (110 patients) or DST stapler (132 patients) at a single center in 2017. We performed a retrospective case-control study to compare the short-term postoperative outcomes and the complications between these two groups. After matching the cases in terms of age, gender, and the grade of hemorrhoids, there were 100 patients in each group (PPH versus DST). There were no significant differences in the postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) score and analgesic usage. Among complications, the incidence of anorectal stricture was significantly higher in the DST group (p = 0.02). Evaluation of the mucosal specimen showed that the total surface area, the muscle/mucosa ratio and the surface area of the muscle were also significantly higher in the DST group (p = 0.03). Further analysis of the DST group demonstrated that patients with anorectal stricture after surgery are younger than patients without anorectal stricture, and higher muscle/mucosa ratio (p = 0.03) and a higher surface area of the muscle (p = 0.03) also measured in the surgical specimen. The two devices provide similar outcomes of postoperative recovery. Patients who underwent DST stapled hemorrhoidopexy had a higher incidence rate of stricture, larger area of muscle excision, and higher muscle/mucosa ratio in the surgical specimen. Further investigation is warranted for a better understanding of the correlation between muscle excision and anorectal stricture.

Short-term Outcomes of Transanal Hemorrhoidal Dearterialization With Mucopexy Versus Vessel-Sealing Device Hemorrhoidectomy for Grade III to IV Hemorrhoids: A Prospective Randomized Multicenter Trial.

BACKGROUND: Transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization with mucopexy and vessel-sealing device hemorrhoidectomy seem to reduce postoperative pain compared with classic excisional hemorrhoidectomy, but whether one of them is superior remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: We compared transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization with mucopexy and vessel-sealing device hemorrhoidectomy. DESIGN: This was a multicenter, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: The study was conducted at 6 Spanish centers. PATIENTS: Patients aged ≥18 years with grade III to IV hemorrhoids were included. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization with mucopexy (n = 39) or vessel-sealing device hemorrhoidectomy (n = 41). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was the mean postoperative number of days in which patients needed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Secondary outcomes were postoperative pain, 30-day morbidity, patient satisfaction, Vaizey score, hemorrhoid symptoms score, return to work, and quality of life. RESULTS: More patients were still taking analgesia in the vessel-sealing device hemorrhoidectomy group during the second postoperative week compared with the transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization with mucopexy group (87.8% vs 53.8%; p = 0.002). For the transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization with mucopexy group, analgesia consumption continued until day 10.1 (mean; SD = 7.22 d), whereas in the vessel-sealing device hemorrhoidectomy group it continued until day 15.2 (mean; SD = 8.70 d; p = 0.006). The mean daily average pain was similar during the first (p = 0.900) and second postoperative weeks (p = 0.265). Mean operative time was higher for the transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization with mucopexy group versus the vessel-sealing device hemorrhoidectomy group (45 min; range, 40-60 vs 20 min; range, 15-41 min; p < 0.001). Postoperative complications rate, use of laxatives, patient satisfaction, Vaizey score, hemorrhoids symptoms score, return to work, and quality of life at 1 month after surgery were similar between groups. LIMITATIONS: The main limitation of this study was that the 2 groups did not contain equal numbers of grade III and IV hemorrhoids. CONCLUSIONS: Transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization with mucopexy is associated with a shorter need for postoperative analgesia compared with vessel-sealing device hemorrhoidectomy. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A915. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02654249.

Long-term follow-up of Starion™ versus Harmonic Scalpel™ hemorrhoidectomy for grade III and IV hemorrhoids.

BACKGROUND: This study represented an effort to design an alternative to Harmonic Scalpel™ with the same effectiveness but at a lower cost. The concomitant use of Starion™ and Harmonic Scalpel™ had been evaluated to determine the differences in terms of the effectiveness immediately after the operation and 3 years post-operatively. METHODS: 114 patients in the SH group (Starion™ hemorrhoidectomy) and 107 patients in the HSH group (Harmonic Scalpel™) were contacted for cumulative inspection 1 week, 4 weeks, and 3 years post-operatively to check for the recurrence rate. RESULTS: No significant difference in the pain score was observed at post-operative week 1, with the SH group scoring 2.08 ± 0.96 and the HSH group scoring 2.29 ± 1.00 (p = 0.112). No significant difference in patient satisfaction was observed at post-operative week 4, with the SH group scoring 8.63 ± 1.28 and the HSH group scoring 8.60 ± 1.32 (p = 0.847). No significant difference in wound healing was observed, with the SH group showing 18.24 ± 3.13 days and the HSH group showing 18.21 ± 2.96 days (p = 0.943). The post-operative recurrence rate was 3.5% (4/114) in the SH group at the 3-year follow-up compared to 4.7% (5/107) in the HSH group without any statistically significant difference (p = 0.662). CONCLUSIONS: Starion™ was a safe, rapid, and effective method for the treatment of Grade III or IV hemorrhoids.

Evolution in the surgical management of hemorrhoidal disease.

Hemorrhoidal disease is a very common condition requiring surgical management in approximately 10% of cases. Despite its long history and high prevalence, we are still trying to identify the best treatment. Earlier surgical approaches were soon abandoned and now only detain an historic significance. For long, proctologists have given their preference to hemorrhoidectomy that was gradually perfected through the years. The true innovation came in 1937, with the famous Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy, still one of the leading interventions for treatment of hemorrhoids. Less fortune encountered alternative techniques, such as the Whitehead hemorrhoidectomy, and closed and semi-closed techniques. Later on, the advent of a new concept of the pathogenesis of hemorrhoidal disease has brought to the development of stapled prolassectomy techniques. This approach has encountered both supporters and detractors between the experts in this field and has received a strong impulse by the emerging trend towards "day-surgery". Today the search for the best surgical technique for hemorrhoidal disease is far from being over and witnesses the introduction of new techniques for hemorrhoidal dissection. The choice of the best strategy remains in the hands of the clinician in the modern conception of tailored surgery. KEY WORD: Hemorrhoidal disease, Hemorrhoidectomy, Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy.

Comparison of Effects of Vessel-Sealing Devices and Conventional Hemorrhoidectomy on Postoperative Pain and Quality of Life.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the early and late results of use of LigaSure, Harmonic Scalpel, and conventional hemorrhoidectomy in hemorrhoidectomy, to determine the least painful method, and to investigate the relationship between pain perception and personal differences in hemorrhoid bundles. MATERIAL AND METHODS Ninety patients undergoing hemorrhoidectomy between 2014 and 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. We investigated the duration of hospitalization and the presence of bleeding, incontinence, perianal wetness, urinary retention, stenosis, and recurrence during follow-up after surgery. Analgesic requirement was determined by Patient-Controlled Analgesia, as well as pain score by use of the Visual Analog Score and patient satisfaction by Short Form-36. We also assessed the relationship between pain and lateral thermal damage, the number of peripheral nerves, number of excised bundles, and the number of thrombosed vessels, as determined by histopathological examination. RESULTS No differences were found among the 3 methods in the duration of hospitalization, the presence of bleeding, fecal incontinence, perianal wetness, urinal retention, anal stenosis, recurrence rate, VAS, analgesic consumption, or results of the SF-36. There was no difference in the number of bundles, thrombosed vessels, or number of nerve fibers in a bundle, but the LigaSure Hemorrhoidectomy had more lateral thermal damage (p<0.001). While there was a difference between VAS of day 1 and 7 according to the hemorrhoid bundles, there was no difference in the other parameters. CONCLUSIONS There was no difference among the 3 methods in terms of complications, postoperative pain, or patient satisfaction, and pain intensity was positively correlated with the number of excised bundles.

Mucopexy-recto anal lifting: a standardized minimally invasive method of managing symptomatic hemorrhoids, with an innovative suturing technique and the HemorPex System®.

BACKGROUND: Conservative surgery of hemorrhoidal disease is less painful than traditional hemorrhoidectomy, and mucopexy has less risk of serious postoperative complications than stapled hemorrhoidopexy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a standardized, modified hemorrhoidopexy, named Mucopexy-Recto Anal Lifting (MuRAL) with the HemorPex System (HPS) in patients with symptomatic III and IV degree hemorrhoids. METHODS: Patients were enrolled from May 2013 to Dec 2015 and operated on with the MuRAL technique, based on arterial ligation and mucopexy at 6 locations, using a standardized clockwise/anti-clockwise rotation sequence of the HPS anoscope. Follow-up controls were carried out by independent observers, as follows: a digital exploration 3 weeks after the intervention, digital exploration plus proctoscopy at 3 and 12 months and repeated at a 12 months interval. Patients who did not strictly follow the postoperative controls were excluded from the study. Primary outcome measurement was the recurrence rate. Secondary measurements were: operative time, hospital stay, postoperative pain, postoperative symptoms and satisfaction score. RESULTS: We operated on 126 patients (72 males, mean age 53.9, range 29-83): 87 (69.6%) with III degree and 39 with IV degree hemorrhoids; 13 patients had a MuRAL as a revisional procedure of a previous operation for hemorrhoids. Mean duration of follow-up was 554 days (range 281-1219). Four patients were excluded from the study. One-year recurrence rate was 4.1%. The mean duration of the intervention was 29.5 minutes (range 23-60) and 92 patients (73%) were discharged during the same day of the operation. Pain VAS Score in the first, second and third postoperative day was 3.9, 2.5, and 1.9, respectively. Twenty-two patients (18%), all submitted to spinal anesthesia, had postoperative acute urinary retention. Fecal urgency, observed in 18.8% of patients at the first control, disappeared within one year after the operation. Mean time to return to normal activity was 8 days (range 5 -10). The patient satisfaction scores at one-year follow up were 31.1% excellent, 57.4% good, 7.4% fairly good and 4.1% poor. In patients with III degree hemorrhoids operative time was significantly shorter, postoperative pain better and transient fecal urgency lower than in IV degree patients. In our experience the standardization of MuRAL operation with HPS, turned out to be a safe and effective minimally invasive approach in managing symptomatic III and IV degree hemorrhoids, avoiding the risk of severe complications, with the possibility to perform a redo-MuRAL in the event of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: In our series up to 88% of the patients reported a good, or excellent one-year satisfaction score. Further comparative randomized studies with longer follow-up period are needed.

Implementation of a New High-Volume Circular Stapler in Stapled Anopexy for Hemorrhoidal Disease: Is Patient's Short-Term Outcome Affected by a Higher Volume of Resected Tissue?

BACKGROUND: Stapled anopexy is a safe technique for the treatment of hemorrhoids but carries a higher risk of recurrence, which might be caused due to the limited volume of resected tissue. In this study, we investigated the introduction of a high-volume circular stapling device; in particular whether an increased amount of resected tissue could affect patients' short-term postoperative outcome. METHODS: Between 2011 and 2015, stapled anopexy was performed for hemorrhoids and/or anal prolapse in 141 patients (n = 25 conventional PPH-3©-stapler versus n = 116 high-volume CHEX©-stapler). In this prospectively collected dataset, operation details and short-term postoperative outcome were compared. RESULTS: With the high-volume stapler, a significantly higher amount of tissue was resected: 9.8 g (range 6.2-11.4) vs. 6.4 g (range 4.9-8.8) with the conventional stapler, p < 0.01. Postoperative short-term outcome did not differ in terms of readmission and complication rates. In all 5 patients who underwent a redo operation for residual hemorrhoids or prolapse, the high-volume stapler was used in the primary operation. CONCLUSION: A high-volume stapling device for stapled anopexy was introduced safely with a significantly higher amount of resected tissue without a worse short-term outcome. However, it remains unclear whether higher stapling volumes may lead to improved long-term outcome with less reinterventions.

TeleCondutas: hemorroidas / TeleGuides: hemorrhoids

Hemorroidas são coxins vasculares normais do canal anal. São formados por espaços vasculares (sinusoides), tecido elástico e conjuntivo, e músculo liso. Sua função é proteger os esfíncteres anais subjacentes e contribuir para a continência fecal. Reservamos o termo "doença hemorroidária" para quando existem sintomas relacionados à sua presença. É mais prevalente em pessoas com idade entre 45 e 65 anos, tendo como principal causa o esforço evacuatório repetitivo, que determina o estiramento do tecido de sustentação dos plexos. Constipação, esforço evacuatório prolongado e gestação são seus principais fatores de risco. Esta guia apresenta informação que orienta a conduta para casos de hemorroidas no contexto da Atenção Primária à Saúde, incluindo: classificação das hemorroidas, sinais e sintomas, diagnóstico, tratamento da doença hemorroidária na APS, tratamento no serviço especializado, indicação de colonoscopia e encaminhamento para serviço especializado.

A prospective randomized trial of transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization with mucopexy versus ultrasonic scalpel hemorrhoidectomy for grade III hemorrhoids.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to compare short- and medium-term results of transanal Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal dearterialization with mucopexy (DM) versus hemorrhoidectomy using an ultrasonic scalpel (US) for third-degree hemorrhoids. METHODS: Forty-four patients were randomly assigned to undergo either DM or US. The patients were followed up at 1, 2, 3 months at our clinic, and by telephone interview when the study was completed in May 2017. The primary endpoint was postoperative pain with quality of life, length of stay, return to normal activities, and incontinence among secondary endpoints. RESULTS: Postoperative pain was less intense in the DM group than in the US group during week 1 (p < 0.05), but no difference was seen after 2 weeks. More DM patients returned to normal daily activities within 3 days (p < 0.05). There were no between-group differences in quality of life. One patient in each group developed postoperative hemorrhage requiring readmission. No differences were found between the groups in postoperative incontinence, obstructed defecation scores, or SF-36. During a median 33-month follow-up (range 12-46 months), two patients in the DM group and one patient in the US group underwent further surgery for residual hemorrhoid related problems. Two patients in the DM group required further rubber band ligation. CONCLUSIONS: Medium-term results demonstrated that DM and US have similar effects on quality of life in the treatment of third-degree hemorrhoids. However, DM was associated with less early postoperative pain than US and a faster return to normal activities.

Procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH) with low rectal anastomosis using a PPH 03 stapler: low rate of recurrence and postoperative complications.

PURPOSE: The procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH) has the advantage of less postoperative pain. However, serious postoperative complications have been reported after PPH, and the postoperative recurrence rate is high in comparison with conventional Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy (MMH). The purpose of this study was to evaluate PPH with low rectal anastomosis (PPH-LA) in comparison with the original PPH and MMH. METHODS: Among a total of 1315 patients with hemorrhoids, MMH was conducted in 322, original PPH using a PPH 01 stapler (PPH01) in 63, PPH-LA using 01 (PPH-LA01) in 236, 03 (PPH-LA03) in 649, and sclerotherapy (SCL) in 45. RESULTS: Length of hospital stay and number of working days lost were significantly greater for MMH than for any form of PPH. The rate of massive postoperative bleeding was significantly lower after PPH-LA03 than after PPH01 or PPH-LA01. No serious postoperative complications occurred after any form of PPH. A significantly higher proportion of patients complained of continued prolapse after PPH01 than after MMH, PPH-LA01, or -LA03. The 5- and 16-year postoperative cumulative recurrence rates after PPH-LA03 were significantly lower than after PPH01. CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative cumulative recurrence rate after PPH-LA03 is as low as that after MMH for up to 16 years, and compared with the original PPH01, the effectiveness is higher and the postoperative cumulative recurrence rate for up to 16 years is significantly lower. We conclude that PPH-LA03 is a superior procedure for hemorrhoids, having less postoperative pain and a low rate of recurrence.

A novel technique for the treatment of stages III to IV hemorrhoids: Homemade anal cushion suspension clamp combined with harmonic scalpel.

To compare the efficacy of homemade anal cushion suspension clamp combined with harmonic scalpel (ACS) and Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy combined with electric knife (MMH) in the treatment of stages III to IV hemorrhoids. We conducted a retrospective study of 99 patients with stages III to IV hemorrhoids hospitalized from January to December in 2013. Among them, 51 patients were treated with ACS, while 48 patients received MMH. Data from clinical recording and follow-up included operative time, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization information, postoperative pain, and postoperative complications. Operative time, intraoperative blood loss and hospitalization time in ACS group were significantly less than those in MMH group (P < .05). Compared with MMH group, ACS group had a lower postoperative static pain score from days 1 to 14 (P < .01). The patients in ACS group exhibited less postoperative defecation pain scores from days 3 to 20 than those of MMH group (P < .05). The incidence of postoperative anal edema and delayed wound healing in ACS group was lower than that in MMH group (P < .05). Compared with MMH, our novel technique ACS was more effective and had fewer postoperative complications in the treatment of stages III to IV hemorrhoids.

[Intraoperative pitfalls and complications in defecation disorders and rectal prolapse]. / Intraoperative Fallstricke und Komplikationen bei Stuhlentleerungsstörung und Rektumprolaps.

BACKGROUND: No generally accepted gold standard exists for the operative therapy of rectal prolapse in its variety of manifestations. Existing evidence suggests that an individualized choice of procedure provides the best result for each single patient. Knowledge of possible pitfalls and intraoperative management of complications in frequently applied procedures are important prerequisites for reliable treatment of affected patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A consecutive series of 233 patients (June 2011-May 2016) with individualized choice of operative procedure in patients with rectal prolapse and rectocele based on an algorithm for a clinical treatment pathway and stapled hemorrhoidopexy were included. Intraoperative pitfalls and complications and their management (iPCM) were prospectively documented and analyzed. RESULTS: The iPCM could be classified into three different categories: group I: iPCM was immediately noted and intraoperatively treated with no impact on the further clinical course (n = 20), group II: iPCM was successfully treated conservatively within a short time after the procedure (n = 9) and group III: iPCM required surgical revision (n = 5). CONCLUSION: Individualized treatment of rectal prolapse and rectocele requires a broad spectrum of methods in specialized coloproctology units. A clinical treatment pathway facilitates the optimal choice of procedure. Overall the complication rates during surgical treatment of transanal rectal prolapse are low; however, available operative procedures hold specific risks and knowledge of these risks helps to avoid them. Once complications occur, measures demonstrated in this study lead to normal clinical courses in the majority of cases.

[ОPTIMIZATION OF SURGICAL TREATMENT OF HEMORRHOIDAL DISEASE STAGES III-IV].

The treatment results in patients, suffering chronic hemorrhoidal disease stages III- IV, in accordance to the elaborated method of hemorrhoidectomy, using radio-wave scalpel «Surgitron TM¼ with further welding of vascular pedicle, applying high-frequency electrocoagulator ЕК-301М1, are presented. In the patients, оperated on in accordance to the method proposed, the intraoperative complications rate and the blood loss severity were essentially lesser than in a comparison group. Owing an adequate level of surgical skills, the operative treatment method elaborated guarantees the reduction of early and late postoperative morbidity, rapid coming back to routine way of living postoperatively.

Ligasure, Harmonic Scalpel versus conventional diathermy in excisional haemorrhoidectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to compare the surgical outcomes of haemorrhoidectomy performed by the Ligasure, Harmonic Scalpel with that performed by the conventional diathermy. METHODS: A total of 180 patients were randomized to Ligasure, Harmonic Scalpel and diathermy haemorrhoidectomy, 60 patients for each group. The operative time, post-operative pain scores, parenteral analgesic requirements in the first 24 h, post-operative complications and wound healing rates were documented. RESULTS: The median operative time was 8 min (range, 7-18) for the Ligasure and Harmonic Scalpel groups and 18 min (range, 15-21) for the diathermy group (P < 0.001). Throughout the first post-operative week, the daily median pain score was lower in the Ligasure and Harmonic Scalpel groups than in the diathermy group (P < 0.001). The median number of analgesic ampoules during the first 24 h post-operatively was lower in the Ligasure and Harmonic Scalpel groups (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of post-operative complications. At 6 weeks post-operation, more patients in the Ligasure and Harmonic Scalpel groups had complete healing of wounds (P = 0 < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Ligasure and Harmonic Scalpel provide a superior alternative to conventional diathermy in haemorrhoidectomy with no difference between them in reducing the operative time, post-operative pain, analgesic requirements during the first 24 h and time to complete healing of wounds.

LigasureTM hemorrhoidectomy: how we do.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhoidectomy is considered the gold standard and the most effective and definitive treatment for grades 3 or 4 hemorrhoids, and Milligan-Morgan's and Ferguson's procedures are the most widely used techniques throughout the world. The aim of the study was to present our surgical technique using LigasureTM vessel sealing, focus on technical aspects and surgical tricks showing our results with a huge number of patients and a long-term follow-up. METHODS: Between June 2001 and June 2014 at the University Hospital of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy, 1000 patients were selected to underwent LigasureTM hemorrhoidectomy for III and IV degree hemorrhoids. Age range 19-80 years, ASA I-II-III. Operating time, postoperative pain score, hospital stay, early and late postoperative complications, wound healing time and time to return to normal activities were assessed. Patients were followed-up at one week, one month, six, and twelve months after the operation and after 60 months they responded to the follow-up telephone interview and replied to the questionnaire. RESULTS: One-thousand patients were undergone LigasureTM hemorrhoidectomy. The mean follow-up was 7 years and 110 (11%) patients was lost from the follow-up after the first postoperative month. Among early postoperative complications, 21 patients (2.1%) has urinary retention treated with a urinary catheter and removed before the discharge. 3 (0.3%) patients had a minor bleeding that required a package of hemostatic absorbable sponge, as late complications, in 35 patients (4%) anal fissure due to hard stool, an incomplete healing was observed in 11 patients (1.1%) after the first month. Three transphincteric anal fistulas (0.3%) were collected and four perianal abscess (0.4%) were observed during the first month of the follow-up and they required a delayed surgical treatment. At the end of the seven years of follow-up 70 recurrences (7.8%) and 35 anal stenosis (4%) were detected. CONCLUSIONS: If technical guidelines are respected rigorously and the device is applied correctly, feared late complications, such as impaired fecal continence, anal stricture and postoperative pain can be minimized.

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

BACKGROUND: 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. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 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 ChexTM 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. RESULTS: 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 ChexTM CPH32 stapler and 28 with the ChexTM 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 ChexTM 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). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative anal stenosis was more common after circular stapled hemorrhoidopexy with the ChexTM CPH32 stapler.