STAPLED HEMORRHOIDOPEXY: RESULTS, LATE COMPLICATIONS, AND DEGREE OF SATISFACTION AFTER 16 YEARS OF FOLLOW-UP.

BACKGROUND: Stapled hemorrhoidopexy has been widely used for the treatment of hemorrhoids, but concerns about complications and recurrences after prolonged follow-up are still under debate. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the very long-term results of the stapled hemorrhoidopexy technique. METHODS: Stapled hemorrhoidopexy was performed on 155 patients between 2000 and 2003, and the early results have already been published. In this study, we evaluated the same patients after a very long follow-up. Data were collected with regard to late complications, rate and timing of recurrences, and patients' degree of satisfaction. RESULTS: From a total of 155 patients, 98 patients were evaluated: 59 (60.2%) were interviewed by telephone and 39 (39.8%) were evaluated by outpatient consultation. The mean follow-up was 193 months (range: 184-231), 52 were female, 52 were grade III hemorrhoids, and 46 were grade IV. Recurrence was higher in grade IV (26.1%) than in grade III (7.7%) (p=0.014). Recurrence after prolonged follow-up was seen in 16 patients (16.3%) and 11 (11.2%) required reoperations. The complications were skin tags (3.1%), anal sub-stenosis (2.1%), and fecal incontinence (2.1%). After a prolonged follow-up, 82.5% of patients were either very satisfied or satisfied with the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Stapled hemorrhoidopexy is a safe and effective treatment for hemorrhoidal disease grades III and IV. Recurrence is higher for grade IV hemorrhoids and may occur up to 9 years of follow-up. Reoperations were infrequent and there is a high patient's degree of satisfaction associated with this technique.

Stapled hemorrhoidopexy: results, late complications, and degree of satisfaction after 16 years of follow-up / Hemorroidopexia mecânica: resultados, complicações tardias e grau de satisfação após 16 anos de seguimento

ABSTRACT - BACKGROUND: Stapled hemorrhoidopexy has been widely used for the treatment of hemorrhoids, but concerns about complications and recurrences after prolonged follow-up are still under debate. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the very long-term results of the stapled hemorrhoidopexy technique. METHODS: Stapled hemorrhoidopexy was performed on 155 patients between 2000 and 2003, and the early results have already been published. In this study, we evaluated the same patients after a very long follow-up. Data were collected with regard to late complications, rate and timing of recurrences, and patients' degree of satisfaction. RESULTS: From a total of 155 patients, 98 patients were evaluated: 59 (60.2%) were interviewed by telephone and 39 (39.8%) were evaluated by outpatient consultation. The mean follow-up was 193 months (range: 184-231), 52 were female, 52 were grade III hemorrhoids, and 46 were grade IV. Recurrence was higher in grade IV (26.1%) than in grade III (7.7%) (p=0.014). Recurrence after prolonged follow-up was seen in 16 patients (16.3%) and 11 (11.2%) required reoperations. The complications were skin tags (3.1%), anal sub-stenosis (2.1%), and fecal incontinence (2.1%). After a prolonged follow-up, 82.5% of patients were either very satisfied or satisfied with the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Stapled hemorrhoidopexy is a safe and effective treatment for hemorrhoidal disease grades III and IV. Recurrence is higher for grade IV hemorrhoids and may occur up to 9 years of follow-up. Reoperations were infrequent and there is a high patient's degree of satisfaction associated with this technique.

RESUMO - RACIONAL: A hemorroidopexia mecênica tem sido amplamente utilizada para o tratamento de hemorroidas, mas as preocupações com complicações e recorrências após seguimento prolongado ainda estão em debate. OBJETIVOS: Nosso objetivo foi avaliar os resultados a muito longo prazo com a técnica hemorroidopexia mecênica. MÉTODOS: O hemorroidopexia mecênica foi realizada em 155 pacientes entre 2000 e 2003, e os primeiros resultados já foram publicados. No presente estudo, avaliamos os mesmos pacientes após um seguimento muito longo. Os dados foram coletados em relação às complicações tardias, taxa e tempo de recorrência e grau de satisfação do paciente. RESULTADOS: De um total de 155 pacientes, 98 pacientes foram avaliados: 59 (60,2%) foram entrevistados por telefone e 39 (39,8%) foram avaliados por consulta ambulatorial. O seguimento médio foi de 193 meses (variação: 184-231), 52 eram do sexo feminino, 52 eram hemorroidas grau III e 46 eram grau IV. A recorrência foi maior no grau IV (26,1%) do que no grau III (7,7%) (p=0,014). A recorrência após seguimento prolongado foi observada em 16 pacientes (16,3%) e 11 (11,2%) necessitaram de reoperações. As complicações foram: plicomas (3,1%), subestenose anal (2,1%) e incontinência fecal (2,1%). Após seguimento prolongado, 82,5% dos pacientes ficaram muito satisfeitos ou satisfeitos com a cirurgia. CONCLUSÕES: O hemorroidopexia mecênica é um tratamento seguro e eficaz para a doença hemorroidária graus III e IV. A recorrência é maior para hemorroidas grau IV e pode ocorrer até 9 anos de seguimento. As reoperações foram infrequentes e há um alto grau de satisfação do paciente associado a esta técnica.