Serial Cross-Sectional Observations of Sun-Protective Behaviors at an Annual Outdoor Motorsport Event in Tropical Queensland, Australia.

Skin cancer, the most prevalent cancer in Caucasians residing at low latitudes, can primarily be prevented by avoiding overexposure to sunlight. Serial cross-sectional observations were conducted at an outdoor motorsport event held in Townsville, Queensland each July (Southern winter) to determine whether sun-protection habits changed over time. Most (71.1%) of the 1337 attendees observed (97.6% lightly pigmented skin, 64.0% male) wore a hat (any style shading the face), while few (18.5%) wore three-quarter or full-length sleeves. While hat-wearing rates (any style) were similar in 2009 (326, 72.6%) and 2013 (625, 70.4%), the use of sun-protective styles (wide-brimmed/bucket/legionnaires) decreased from 29.2% to 18.6% over the same period, primarily because the use of sun-protective hats halved (from 28.7% to 14.0%) among females, while decreasing from 29.4% to 21.1% in males. Although relatively few individuals wore sun-protective (three-quarter-length or full-length) sleeves regardless of year (OR = 0.117, P < 0.0001), encouragingly, the use of sun-protective sleeves more than doubled between 2009 (10.5%) and 2013 (22.5%). Interestingly females, albeit the minority, at this sporting event were less likely to wear a hat (OR = 0.473, P < 0.0001) than males. These findings highlight the need for continued momentum toward skin cancer primary prevention through sun protection with a dedicated focus on outdoor sporting settings.

Socioeconomic disparities in rates of facial fracture surgeries for women and men at a regional tertiary care centre in Australia.

BACKGROUND: Assault is the most common mechanism of injury in patients presenting with facial trauma in Australia. For women, there is a propensity for maxillofacial injuries to stem from intimate partner violence (IPV). Those with a low socioeconomic status have higher rates of IPV. This study examines variations in the proportion of surgical procedures that are due to facial trauma for Australian women and men by employment status and residential socioeconomic status. METHODS: A single centre retrospective study was conducted (2008-2018). The proportion of operative patients presenting with facial fractures was examined. Multivariable logistic regression adjusting for year and age, was performed for women and men. RESULTS: Facial fractures comprised 1.51% (1602) of all surgeries, patients had a mean age of 32, and 81.3% were male. Unemployed patients were more likely to require surgery for a facial fracture (OR 2.36 (2.09-2.68), P <0.001), and there were no significant variations by index of economic resources (IER). Unemployed males had higher rates of facial fractures (OR 2.09 (1.82-2.39), P <0.001). Unemployed and disadvantaged IER females had higher rates of facial fractures (OR 5.02 (3.73-6.75), P <0.001 and OR 2.31(1.63-3.29), P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study found disparities in rates of surgery for facial fractures; unemployment increased the rates for men and women, whereas disadvantaged IER increased rates for women. Studies have demonstrated higher rates of IPV for unemployed and low socioeconomic status women. Further research ascertaining the aetiology of these disparities is important both for primary prevention initiatives and to enable treating clinicians to better understand and address the role of IPV and alcohol consumption in these injuries.

Disparities in surgical outcomes for low socioeconomic status patients in Australia.

BACKGROUND: There are disparities in surgical outcomes for patients of low socioeconomic status globally, including in countries with universal healthcare systems. There is limited data on the impact of low socioeconomic status on surgical outcomes in Australia. This study examines surgical outcomes by both self-reported unemployment and neighbourhood level socioeconomic status in Australia. METHODS: A retrospective administrative data review was conducted at a tertiary care centre over a 10-year period (2008-2018) including all adult surgical patients. Multivariable logistic regression adjusting for year, age, sex and Charlson Comorbidity Index was performed. RESULTS: 106 197 patients underwent a surgical procedure in the decade examined. The overall adverse event rates were mortality (1.13%), total postoperative complications (10.9%), failure to rescue (0.75%) and return to theatre (4.31%). Following multivariable testing, unemployed and low socioeconomic patients had a higher risk of postoperative mortality (OR 2.06 (1.50-2.82), OR 1.37 (1.15-1.64)), all complications (OR 1.43 (1.31-1.56), OR 1.21 (1.14-1.28)), failure to rescue (OR 2.03 (1.39-2.95), OR 1.38 (1.11-1.72)) and return to theatre (OR 1.42 (1.27-1.59), OR 1.24 (1.14-1.36)) (P < 0.005 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Despite universal healthcare, there are disparities in surgical adverse events for patients of low socioeconomic status in Australia. Disparities in surgical outcomes can stem from three facets: a patient's access to healthcare (the severity of disease at the time of presentation), variation in perioperative care delivery, and social determinants of health. Further work is required to pinpoint why these disparities are present and to evaluate the impact of strategies that aim to reduce disparities.

Disparities in Advanced Peripheral Arterial Disease Presentation by Socioeconomic Status.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) often synergistically lead to foot ulceration, infection, and gangrene, which may require lower limb amputation. Worldwide there are disparities in the rates of advanced presentation of PAD for vulnerable populations. This study examined rates of advanced presentations of PAD for unemployed patients, those residing in low Index of Economic Resources (IER) areas, and those in rural areas of Australia. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at a regional tertiary care centre (2008-2018). To capture advanced presentations of PAD, the proportion of operative patients presenting with complications (gangrene/ulcers), the proportion of surgeries that are amputations, and the rate of emergency to elective surgeries were examined. Multivariable logistic regression adjusting for year, age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and sociodemographic variables was performed. RESULTS: In the period examined, 1115 patients underwent a surgical procedure for PAD. Forty-nine per cent of patients had diabetes. Following multivariable testing, the rates of those requiring amputations were higher for unemployed (OR 1.99(1.05-3.79), p = 0.036) and rural patients (OR 1.83(1.21-2.76), p = 0.004). The rate of presentation with complications was higher for unemployed (OR 7.2(2.13-24.3), p = 0.001), disadvantaged IER (OR 1.91(1.2-3.04), p = 0.007), and rural patients (OR 1.73(1.13-2.65), p = 0.012). The rate of emergency to elective surgery was higher for unemployed (OR 2.32(1.18-4.54), p = 0.015) and rural patients (OR 1.92(1.29-2.86), p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study found disparities in metrics capturing delayed presentations of PAD: higher rates of presentations with complications, higher amputation rates, and increased rates of emergency to elective surgery, for patients of low socioeconomic status and those residing in rural areas. This suggests barriers to appropriate, effective, and timely care exists for these patients.

Emergency to Elective Surgery Ratio as a Disparities Sensitive Surgical Access Metric, A Study of Low Socioeconomic Status in Australia.

BACKGROUND: The emergency to elective surgery ratio is a proposed indicator for global access to surgical care. There is a well-established link between low socioeconomic status and increased morbidity and mortality. This study examined the emergency to elective surgery ratios for low socioeconomic patients utilising both self-reported unemployment and the neighbourhood Index of Economic Resources (IER). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at a regional tertiary care centre in Australia, including data over a ten-year period (2008-2018). Multivariable logistic regression adjusting for year, age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index, rurality, and if surgeries were due to trauma or injuries, was performed. RESULTS: 84,014 patients underwent a surgical procedure in the period examined; 29.0% underwent emergency surgery, 5.31% were unemployed, and 26.6% lived in neighbourhoods with the lowest IER. Following multivariable testing, the rate of emergency surgery was higher for unemployed patients (OR 1.42 [1.32-1.52], p < 0.001), and for those from the lowest IER (OR 1.13 [1.08-1.19], p < 0.001). For unemployed patients, this disparity increased during the study period (OR 1.32 [2008-2012], OR 1.48 [2013-2018]). When stratified by specialty, most (7/11) had significant disparities for unemployed patients: Cardiac/Cardiothoracic, Otolaryngology, Maxillofacial/Dental, Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Plastics, and Vascular surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Unemployed Australians and those residing in the most disadvantaged IER neighbourhoods had higher emergency to elective surgery rates. The disparity in emergency to elective surgery rates for unemployed patients was found in most surgical specialties and increased over the period examined. This suggests a widespread and potentially increasing disparity in access to surgical care for patients of socioeconomic disadvantage, specifically for those who are unemployed.

Surgical Services for Breast Cancer Patients in Australia, is There a Gap for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Women?

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women. When compared to other Australians, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women have a higher breast cancer mortality rate. This systematic literature review examined disparities in breast cancer surgical access and outcomes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women. METHODS: This systematic literature review, following the PRISMA guidelines, compared measures of breast cancer surgical care for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians. RESULTS: The 13 included studies were largely state-based retrospective reviews of data collected prior to the year 2012. Eight studies reported more advanced breast cancer presentation among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women. Despite the increased distance to a multidisciplinary, specialist team, there were no disparities in seeing a surgeon, or in the time from diagnosis to surgical treatment. Two studies reported disparities in the receipt of surgery and two reported no variations. Three studies reported disparities in the receipt of mastectomy versus breast conserving surgery, whilst four studies reported no variations. No studies examined postoperative surgical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women present with more advanced breast cancer. There may be disparities in the receipt of surgery and the type of surgery. However, the metrics tested were not related to optimal care guidelines, and the databases utilised contain limited data on individual factors contributing to surgical care decisions. It is therefore difficult to determine whether the reported differences in the receipt of surgical care reflect disparate or appropriate care.

Short and long course neoadjuvant therapy compared for management of locally advanced rectal cancer: 11 years' experience at a regional centre.

BACKGROUND: Rectal cancer treatment outcomes for socioeconomically disadvantaged and regional patients have been suggested to be suboptimal in Australia. We investigate outcomes at a regional tertiary centre in order to determine the prognostic impact of patient and treatment factors. METHODS: Patients who underwent short and long course neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery for stage II-III rectal cancer over an 11-year period were identified. Results were analysed to determine oncological and surgical outcomes along with whether patient and treatment-related variables were prognostic. Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA) and Index of Relative Socioeconomic Disadvantage (IRSD) was used to determine remoteness and socioeconomic status, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 207 patients underwent short (n = 103, 49.8%) and long course (n = 104, 50.2%) over the time period; 81.6% (n = 169) were from outer regional, remote or very remote communities and 55.1% travelled >200 km for treatment; 57.0% were in the most disadvantaged three IRSD deciles. Five-year cancer-specific survival, recurrence-free survival and local recurrence were 83.1% (n = 172), 76.3% (n = 158) and 7.3% (n = 15), respectively. Wound complications were higher in outer regional, remote or very remote patients (25.4% versus 13.2%, P = 0.03). Remoteness, socioeconomic indices, distance to treatment and neoadjuvant type were not prognostic for any other oncological or surgical outcomes on univariate or multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Despite demography suggesting geographic and socioeconomic barriers, oncological and surgical outcomes at our regional centre were comparable to international and Australian trials. Further, these factors were not prognostic. Geographically remote patient's may safely have neoadjuvant modality individualized without compromising care.

Implementation of the World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist Correlates with Reduced Surgical Mortality and Length of Hospital Admission in a High-Income Country.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist (WHO SSC) has been widely implemented in an effort to decrease surgical adverse events. The effects of the checklist on postoperative outcomes have not previously been examined in Australia, and there is limited evidence on the effects of the checklist in the long term. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted using administrative databases to examine the effects of the implementation of the checklist on postoperative outcomes. Data from 21,306 surgical procedures, performed over a 5-year time period at a tertiary care centre in Australia where the WHO SSC was introduced in the middle of this period, were analysed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Postoperative mortality rates decreased from 1.2 to 0.92% [p = 0.038, OR 0.74 (0.56-0.98)], and length of admission decreased from 5.2 to 4.7 days (p = 0.014). The reduction in mortality rates reached significance at the 2-3 years post-implementation period [p = 0.017, OR 0.61 (0.41-0.92)]. The observed decrease in mortality rates was independent of the surgical procedure duration. CONCLUSION: Implementation of the WHO SSC was associated with a statistically significant reduction in mortality and length of admission over a 5-year time period. This is the first study demonstrating a reduction in postoperative mortality after the implementation of the checklist in an Australian setting. In this study, a relatively longer period examined, comparative to previous international studies, may have allowed factors like surgical culture change to take effect.

Using sacral nerve modulation to improve continence and quality of life in patients suffering from low anterior resection syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Sphincter preserving surgery for the treatment of rectal cancer is very often feasible, avoiding a permanent colostomy. It is well recognized that a large proportion of patients will experience altered bowel habit following low anterior resection (LAR). Faecal incontinence is a common symptom associated with LAR syndrome. The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term improvement in continence and quality of life (QoL) in LAR patients treated with sacral nerve modulation. METHODS: Patients with ongoing faecal incontinence for >1 year after reversal of diverting ileostomy post ultra-LAR were selected for the study. Eligible patients underwent sacral nerve modulator implantation as a two-stage procedure. Bowel diaries and the Cleveland Clinic Faecal Incontinence Score were used to measure faecal incontinence and QoL. RESULTS: Twelve patients underwent permanent implantation of a sacral nerve stimulator. Median follow-up was 34 months (interquartile range (IQR) 20.25-62.5 months). The median improvement in faecal incontinence was 90% (IQR 76.25-98.75%) and the median improvement in patient QoL was 80% (IQR 71.25-93.75%). Patients who had previously been treated with biofeedback showed a median improvement in incontinence of 75% compared to 90% which was found in patients who had not had prior biofeedback treatment. The mean percentage improvement in patients with an internal anal sphincter defect was 80% compared to 90% seen in patients with an intact sphincter. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that sacral nerve modulation should be more widely considered as an effective treatment strategy for patients with faecal incontinence following LAR.

Prevalence of low anterior resection syndrome at a regional Australian centre.

BACKGROUND: With decreasing indication for abdominoperineal resection and an increase in sphincter preserving surgery, there is a growing population of patients who suffer from low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). The aim of this study is to use the LARS score to determine the prevalence of LARS at a regional centre in Australia and determine the effect of short- and long-course neoadjuvant therapy, anastomotic technique and interval from surgery will also be assessed. METHODS: Patients who had undergone an anterior resection (high, low or ultralow) at a regional centre over an 11-year period were identified. Eligible patients were contacted to complete a LARS score questionnaire. Results were analysed to determine the rate of major LARS and possible causative roles of certain patient and treatment-related variables. RESULTS: A total of 64 of 76 patients (84%) returned completed questionnaires. The prevalence of major LARS was 37.5%. Short-course neoadjuvant therapy appeared to be more likely to be associated with major LARS compared to long course (odds ratio (OR) = 2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37-15.3, P = 0.35); however, this did not reach statistical significance. Rates of major LARS appear to decrease slowly over time and J-pouch colonic anastomosis appears to be slightly protective against major LARS (OR = 0.7, 95% CI 0.12-3.9, P = 0.70); however, neither results were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The rate of major LARS at this regional centre is 37.5%. Larger prospective multicentre studies are required to determine impact of variables such as type of neoadjuvant therapy, anastomotic techniques and progression of LARS over time.

A meta-analysis of the prevalence of Low Anterior Resection Syndrome and systematic review of risk factors.

AIM: To summarize the reported prevalence and causative factors of Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) from studies using the LARS score. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted using Pubmed, Ovid Medline and the Cochrane database. Searches were performed using a combination of MeSH (medical subject headings) terms and key terms. Studies that were included used the LARS score as their primary collection tool. Studies were excluded if initial surgery was not for malignancy, or if the majority of LARS scores were from patients less than 1 year post initial surgery or closure of diverting stoma. Eligible studies were assessed with a validated quality assessment tool prior to performing a meta-analysis with quality effects model. Meta-analysis was conducted with prevalence estimates that had been transformed using the double arcsine method. RESULTS: Following the initial search and implementation of inclusion and exclusion criteria 11 studies were deemed suitable for meta-analysis. Meta-analysis found the estimated prevalence of major LARS was 41% (95% CI 34 -48). Where possible outlier studies were excluded, the prevalence was 42% (95%CI 35-48). Radiotherapy and tumour height were the most consistently assessed variables, both showing a consistent negative effect on bowel function. Defunctioning ileostomy was found to have a statically significant negative impact on bowel function in 4 of 11 studies. The majority of reported data has been produced by groups in Denmark and the United Kingdom with limited numbers provided by other locations. Available data is heterogenous with some variables having limited numbers, making meta-analysis of certain variables impossible. CONCLUSIONS: There is significant prevalence of Low Anterior Resection Syndrome following oncological rectal resection. A low anastomotic height or history of radiotherapy are major risk factors.

Incisional abdominal hernia repair with concomitant abdominoplasty: Maintaining umbilical viability.

INTRODUCTION: Abdominoplasty and abdominal hernia repair are often carried out in two-stage procedures, and those describing single-stage surgery require careful dissection to preserve often only partial blood supply to the umbilicus to maintain its viability. This paper aims to describe the surgical method of laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair in association with abdominoplasty. CASE PRESENTATION: A patient presents with an incisional hernia at a previous periumbilical port site of size 14 x 9 mm observed on ultrasound as well as a recurrent left inguinal hernia from previous bilateral laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, oophorectomy, and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A laparoscopic mesh repair of the hernia defect followed by abdominoplasty was performed. The patient made an uncomplicated recovery and was discharged home on day 5 post operation. There was complete healing of the umbilicus and remainder of the wounds. At 24-month follow-up, there was no recurrence of hernia. CONCLUSION: Previously documented methods of concomitant abdominoplasty and hernia repair use an open technique to repair the hernia. A laparoscopic approach is faster, but it poses a significant risk to the vascular supply to the umbilicus. This not only increases positive aesthetic outcomes and patient satisfaction but also reduces rates of postoperative complications and recovery time.

Postoperative Adverse Events Inconsistently Improved by the World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist: A Systematic Literature Review of 25 Studies.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist (SSC) has been widely implemented in an effort to decrease surgical adverse events. METHOD: This systematic literature review examined the effects of the SSC on postoperative outcomes. The review included 25 studies: two randomised controlled trials, 13 prospective and ten retrospective cohort trials. A meta-analysis was not conducted as combining observational studies of heterogeneous quality may be highly biased. RESULTS: The quality of the studies was largely suboptimal; only four studies had a concurrent control group, many studies were underpowered to examine specific postoperative outcomes and teamwork-training initiatives were often combined with the implementation of the checklist, confounding the results. The effects of the checklist were largely inconsistent. Postoperative complications were examined in 20 studies; complication rates significantly decreased in ten and increased in one. Eighteen studies examined postoperative mortality. Rates significantly decreased in four and increased in one. Postoperative mortality rates were not significantly decreased in any studies in developed nations, whereas they were significantly decreased in 75 % of studies conducted in developing nations. CONCLUSIONS: The checklist may be associated with a decrease in surgical adverse events and this effect seems to be greater in developing nations. With the observed incongruence between specific postoperative outcomes and the overall poor study designs, it is possible that many of the positive changes associated with the use of the checklist were due to temporal changes, confounding factors and publication bias.

Synchronous primary anorectal melanoma and sigmoid adenocarcinoma: a case report.

Synchronous primary anorectal melanoma and colorectal adenocarcinoma is extremely rare, with only 5 cases reported in the literature. Here, a case is reported and the currently available literature is summarized. A 72-year-old white male presented with changes in his bowel habits and unintentional weight loss. Colonoscopy revealed a polypoid mass in the distal rectum extending to the anal verge anteriorly and a circumferential polypoid mass in the distal sigmoid colon. Biopsies were taken, which revealed poorly differentiated melanoma of the anorectal mass and moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid mass with nodal involvement. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed liver metastasis. An extended abdominoperineal resection was undertaken for palliation, relief of symptoms, and definitive histology to guide further management. Consequently, a resection of the hepatic metastasis was attempted; however, macroscopic deposits were discovered on 7 of 8 liver segments perioperatively. He was subsequently referred to medical oncology for palliative chemotherapy. Synchronous primary anorectal melanoma and colorectal adenocarcinoma is rare, this being the sixth report found in the literature. In summary of the available cases, all synchronous cancers were located in the rectosigmoid and had very similar presentations. Most presented relatively late and were generally treated with abdominoperineal resection, which appears to be the best treatment option. Overall, prognosis appears to be dismal. General and colorectal surgeons should always be aware of the possibilities of simultaneous primary cancers because this can affect treatment modalities and prognosis for the patient.

Supplementary home biofeedback improves quality of life in younger patients with fecal incontinence.

BACKGROUND: Biofeedback is a scarce, resource-intensive clinical therapy. It is used to treat patients with bowel problems, including fecal incontinence (FI), who fail to respond to simple dietary advice, medication, or pelvic floor exercises. Populations are aging and younger cohorts use technology in managing their health, affording FI self-management opportunities. AIM: Does supplementary home-based biofeedback improve FI and quality of life (QOL)? METHODS: Seventy-five incontinent participants (12 male), mean age 61.1 years, consented to participate. Thirty-nine patients (5 male) were randomized to the standard biofeedback protocol plus daily home use of a Peritron perineometer (intervention) and 36 patients (7 male) to the standard biofeedback protocol (control). On completion of the study each perineometer exercise session was rated for technique by 2 raters, blinded to the patient and order of sessions. RESULTS: With the exception of Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale lifestyle improvement (intervention--9.1% vs. controls--0.3%, P=0.026) and embarrassment improvement (intervention--50.0% vs. controls--18.3%, P=0.026), supplementary home biofeedback did not result in greater clinical improvement for the intervention group as a whole. However, on stratification around the mean age, continence and QOL of younger people in the intervention group were significantly better than those of their control counterparts. Graphed perineometer sessions demonstrated high compliance and improvement in exercise technique. Perineometers provided reassurance, motivation, and an exercise reminder ensuring that confidence was achieved quickly. CONCLUSIONS: Home biofeedback was acceptable and well tolerated by all users. Younger participants significantly benefited from using this technology.

The prone position during surgery and its complications: a systematic review and evidence-based guidelines.

Surgery in the prone position is often a necessity when access to posterior anatomic structures is required. However, many complications are known to be associated with this type of surgery, as physiologic changes occur with increased pressure to anterior structures. While several studies have discussed postoperative vision loss, much fewer studies with lower levels of evidence have addressed other complications. A systematic literature review was conducted using 2 different databases, and 53 papers were regarded as appropriate for inclusion. Qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed. Thirteen complications were identified. Postoperative vision loss and cardiovascular complications, including hypovolemia and cardiac arrest, had the most number of studies and highest level of evidence. Careful planning for optimal positioning, padding, timing, as well as increased vigilance are evidence-based recommendations where operative prone positioning is required.

Documented complications of staple hemorrhoidopexy: a systematic review.

A systematic review addressing reported complications of stapled hemorrhoidopexy was conducted. Articles were identified via searching OVID and MEDLINE between July 2011 and October 2013. Limitations were placed on the search criteria with articles published from 1998 to 2013 being included in this review. No language restrictions were placed on the search, however foreign language articles were not translated. Two reviewers independently screened the abstracts for relevance and their suitability for inclusion. Data extraction was conducted by both reviewers and entered and analyzed in Microsoft Excel. The search identified 784 articles and 78 of these were suitable for inclusion in the review. A total of 14,232 patients underwent a stapled hemorrhoidopexy in this review. Overall complication rates of stapled hemorrhoidopexy ranged from 3.3%-81% with 5 mortalities documented. Early and late complications were defined individually with overall data suggesting that early complications ranged from 2.3%-58.9% and late complications ranged from 2.5%-80%. Complications unique to the procedure were identified and rates recorded. Both early and late complications unique to stapled hemorrhoidopexy were identified and assessed.