A comparative evaluation of laser hemorrhoidoplasty versus open surgical hemorrhoidectomy treatment of grade III and IV hemorrhoids. A prospective observational study

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy and outcomes of laser hemorrhoidoplasty with that of open surgical hemorrhoidectomy. This prospective observational study consists of 50 subjects in each group. The open surgery group underwent a standardized Milligan-Morgan technique, and the laser group underwent laser hemorrhoidoplasty with a diode laser of 1470 nm (LASOTRONIX), 8.5 watts with a continuous pulse. Postoperative pain was considered as the primary outcome and was evaluated in both groups using the visual analog scale. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in VAS score at different follow-up period, with a mean score of 2.3±1.05 and 5.1±1.11 (24 hours) for the laser hemorrhoidoplasty group and open surgery group, respectively (p value < 0.008). There was an improvement in VAS score in the laser hemorrhoidoplasty group compared to the conventional open surgical group in 1, 7, 14, 21, and 30 days follow up.

Keywords

• hemorrhoids
• hemorrhoidectomy
• postoperative pain
• visual analog scale