Open Hemorrhoidectomy
Open Hemorrhoidectomy
Open Hemorrhoidectomy
This is the most commonly used technique and is widely considered to be the most effective surgical technique for treating hemorrhoids.[24] We routinely carry out open hemorrhoidectomy at our center. Adotey and Jebbin in PortHarcourt, Nigeria, showed that open hemorrhoidectomy was the predominant surgical method for treating hemorrhoids.[25] Uba et al. in Jos, Nigeria, also concluded in their studies that open hemorrhoidectomy was safe, simple and cost-effective, with postoperative pain, acute urine retention and bleeding being the commonest complications.[26,27] It is the procedure of choice for third- and fourth-degree hemorrhoids [Figure 3].
Figure 3 Third-degree hemorrhoids prior to dissection This method was developed in the United Kingdom by Drs. Milligan and Morgan in 1937, mainly for hemorrhoids of grades II-IV.[28] A V-shaped incision by the scalpel in the skin around the base of the hemorrhoid is followed by scissors dissection in the submucous space to strip the entire hemorrhoid from its bed. The dissection is carried cranially to the pedicle, which is ligated with strong catgut and the distal part excised [Figure 4]. Other hemorrhoids are similarly treated, leaving a skin bridge in-between to avoid stenosis. The wound is left open and a hemostatic gauze pad left in the anal canal [Figure 5]. The procedure is done under general or epidural anesthesia. Postoperative pain and acute urine retention are common complications.
Yang et al., 2005, concludes that the modified lift-up submucosal hemorrhoidectomy is an easier operative method compared with the procedure originally developed by Parks.[31]
Stapled hemorrhoidectomy
This procedure is also known as circumferential mucosectomy or procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH). It was first described in 1998 by Longo for prolapsing second- to fourthdegree hemorrhoids.[33] He suggested that stapled resection of a complete circular strip of mucosa above the dentate line lifts the hemorrhoidal cushions into the anal canal.[33] In PPH, the prolapsed tissue is pulled into a circular stapler that allows the excess tissue to be removed while the remaining hemorrhoidal tissue is stapled. A circular anal dilator is introduced into the anal canal. The prolapsed mucous membrane falls into the lumen after removing the dilator. A purse-string suture anoscope is then introduced through the dilator, to make a submucosal pursestring suture around the entire anal canal circumference [Figure 7]. The circular stapler is opened to its maximum position. Its head is introduced and positioned proximal to the purse-string suture, which is then tied with a closing knot [Figure 8]. The entire casing of the stapler is then pushed into the anal canal, tightened and fired to staple the prolapse. Firing the stapler releases a double-staggered row of titanium staples through the tissue [Figure 9]. A circular knife excises the redundant tissue, thereby removing a circumferential column of mucosa from the upper anal canal. The staple line is then examined with the anoscope for bleeding, which if present may be controlled by placement of absorbable sutures. The staple line should be maintained at a distance of 3-3.5 cm from the anal verge to avoid postoperative rectal stenosis and pain. Patients experience less pain and achieve a quicker return to work compared to conventional procedures; and bleeding is less.[33]