Is simple mucosal resection really possible? Considerations about histological findings after stapled hemorrhoidopexy

Long-term results after stapled hemorrhoidopexy: a survey study with mean follow-up of 12 years

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhoidal prolapse is a common benign disease. The introduction of circular-stapled hemorrhoidopexy as an alternative to the conventional hemorrhoidectomy led to a new spectrum of postoperative outcomes and complications. The aim of the present study was to evaluate long-term results after stapled hemorrhoidopexy.

METHODS

All the patients who had stapled hemorrhoidopexy using a PPH03 stapler, from January 2003 to December 2005, were retrospectively collected in a dedicated database. Between March and May 2016, all the patients were asked by phone to complete a questionnaire. The study evaluated anatomical recurrence, symptom recurrence and frequency, and satisfaction after surgery. The postoperative complications recorded were hemorrhage, hematoma, urinary retention, anastomotic stenosis, persistent anal pain, tenesmus, and impaired anal continence evaluated also with the Faecal Incontinence Severity Index score.

RESULTS

One hundred and ninety four patients were identified and 171 completed the questionnaire. The mean follow-up was 12 ± 0.8 years (range 11-13 years). Anatomical self-reported prolapse recurrence was 40.9% (n = 70). In 75.6% (n = 129) of patients, the severity and frequency of symptoms improved. The overall complication rate was 56.7% (n = 40) with a serious adverse event rate of 8.7% (n = 15). The overall tenesmus rate was 38.2% (n = 65) and the overall impaired continence rate was 39.1% (n = 67). Medical therapy was still required occasionally by 40.3% (n = 69) of the patients and 9.3% (n = 16) of the patients underwent surgery for recurrence. Patient satisfaction rate was good (≥ 3 on a scale of 1 to 5) in 81.2% (n = 139) of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed that stapled hemorrhoidopexy using the first-generation devices is safe and feasible but associated with a high recurrence and incontinence rate. More stringent selection criteria in association with the use of large volume devices can lead to better results in the future.

High-Volume Transanal Surgery with CPH34 HV for the Treatment of III-IV Degree Haemorrhoids: Final Short-Term Results of an Italian Multicenter Clinical Study

The clinical chart of 621 patients with III-IV haemorrhoids undergoing Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy (SH) with CPH34 HV in 2012–2014 was consecutively reviewed to assess its safety and efficacy after at least 12 months of follow-up. Mean volume of prolapsectomy was significantly higher (13.0 mL; SD, 1.4) in larger prolapse (9.3 mL; SD, 1.2) (p < 0.001). Residual or recurrent haemorrhoids occurred in 11 of 621 patients (1.8%) and in 12 of 581 patients (1.9%), respectively. Relapse was correlated with higher preoperative Constipation Scoring System (CSS) (p = 0.000), Pescatori's degree (p = 0.000), Goligher's grade (p = 0.003), prolapse exceeding half of the length of the Circular Anal Dilator (CAD) (p = 0.000), and higher volume of prolapsectomy (p = 0.000). At regression analysis, only the preoperative CSS, Pescatori's degree, Goligher's grade, and volume of resection were significantly predictive of relapse. A high level of satisfaction (VAS = 8.6; SD, 1.0) coupled with a reduction of 12-month CSS (Δ preoperative CSS/12 mo CSS = 3.4, SD, 2.0; p < 0.001) was observed. The wider prolapsectomy achievable with CPH34 HV determined an overall 3.7% relapse rate in patients with high prevalence of large internal rectal prolapse, coupled with high satisfaction index, significant reduction of CSS, and very low complication rates.

Persistent anal and pelvic floor pain after PPH and STARR: surgical management of the fixed scar staple line

BACKGROUND

Persistent anal pain (PAP) after stapled procedures, be it hemorrhoidopexy (PPH) or stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) may be hardly resolved by medical therapy. The typical objective finding in these patients is the staple line characterized by fixed scar to underlying layers.

METHODS

A total of 21 consecutive patients were operated for PAP after stapled procedure. The scarred staple line was excised and detached from layers below, the mucosal continuity reconstructed by single stitches. From January 2003 to December 2013 1500 patients underwent stapled procedure. Of these patients treated in our unit, 9 (0.6 %) were operated for chronic anal pain and 12 were referred to our center from other hospitals.

RESULTS

Fifteen (71.4 %) patients resolved and do not take any drugs for pain; an overall of 85.7 % (18/21) improved their clinical status. Mean time between the beginning of symptoms and the operation was 4.27 months (range 1-18 months). We divided the patients into three groups: before 3 months, between 3 and 6 months and after 6 months from the beginning of symptoms to the operation. The best results were in the first group with 100 % pain relief and satisfactory functional results.

CONCLUSIONS

The relief of PAP after stapled procedure, in which we recognize a scarred and fixed staple line, depends by the early recognition of this typical finding. The authors suggest the surgical treatment not later than 3-6 months after the onset of symptoms to achieve the best results.

Tailored prolapse surgery for the treatment of hemorrhoids with a new dedicated device: TST Starr plus

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to assess the results of the stapled transanal procedure in the treatment of hemorrhoidal prolapse in terms of postoperative complications and recurrence rate using a new dedicated device, TST Starr plus.

METHODS

Patients affected by III-IV degree hemorrhoidal prolapsed that underwent stapled transanal resection with the TST Starr plus were included in the present study. Results of the procedure with perioperative complications, postoperative complications, and recurrence rate were reported.

RESULTS

From November 2012 to October 2014, 52 patients (19 females) were enrolled in the study. The main symptoms were prolapse (100 %) and bleeding (28.8 %). Transanal rectal resection was performed with parachute technique in 24 patients (46.2 %) and purse string technique in 23 patients (53.8 %). A mild hematoma at the suture line occurred in one patient (1.9 %). Postoperative bleeding was reported in three patients (5.7 %), in one of which, reoperation was necessary (1.9 %). Tenesmus occurred in one patient (1.9 %), and it was resolved with medical therapy. Urgency was reported in nine patients (17.1 %) at 7 days after surgery. Of these, three patients (5.7 %) complained urgency at the median follow-up of 14.5 months. Reoperation was performed in one patient (1.9 %) for chronic anal pain for rigid suture fixed on the deep plans. Occasional bleeding was reported in four patients (7.7 %). No recurrence of prolapse was reported at a median of 14.5 months after surgery, even if one patient (1.9 %) had a partial recurrent prolapse of a downstaged single pile.

CONCLUSIONS

TST Starr plus seems to be safe and effective for a tailored transanal stapled surgery for the treatment of III-IV degree hemorrhoidal prolapse. The new conformation and innovative technology of the stapler seems to reduce some postoperative complications and recurrence rate.

Clinical application of procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids

As the sliding anal cushion theory is widely accepted, the procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH) has been applied all over the world. PPH mainly involves restoring the normal anatomy of the anal canal by circular excision of the mucosa above the hemorrhoids. Therefore, the blood supply is partially blocked so that hemorrhoids will gradually shrink. PPH has many advantages such as rapid rehabilitation, minimal invasiveness, and good short-term outcome (early resumption, less rectal bleeding and postoperative pain). However, many retrospective studies and meta-analyses indicate that, compared with the traditional surgery, PPH still has a number of deficiencies, including relatively high costs, high rates of relapse in a long term and so on. This review discusses the strategies, postoperative complications and clinical application of PPH.

Does stapled anopexy for bleeding haemorrhoids cure associated anaemia?

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of stapled anopexy (SA) in patients with chronic bleeding haemorrhoids and secondary anaemia.

METHOD

Our department performed 340 SA procedure per patient for haemorrhoids between January 1999 and December 2011. Fifty (14.7%) of these patients (25 male patients and 25 female patients) had anaemia (haemoglobin concentration < 13 g/dl in male patients and < 12 g/dl in female patients) secondary to chronic haemorrhoidal bleeding. Patients with colorectal bleeding and anaemia not caused by haemorrhoids were excluded. The mean (SD) age was 56.4 (13.9) years and the mean (SD) haemoglobin concentration was 9.2 (1.6) g/dl for male patients and 10.4 (1.2) g/dl for female patients. Five (10%) patients with anaemia had Grade II, 22 (44%) had Grade III and 23 (46%) had Grade IV haemorrhoids. The median (range) duration of postoperative follow-up was six (1-12) years.

RESULTS

None of the patients required early postoperative admission or experienced early or late complications related to SA. The procedure was successful (normal haemoglobin concentration and no bleeding at 6 months postsurgery) in 45 (90%) patients. Of the five (10%) patients in whom SA was ineffective, one had Grade II, three had Grade III and one had Grade IV haemorrhoids. All these patients underwent Milligan-Morgan haemorrhoidectomy 3 months after SA.

CONCLUSION

SA is an effective treatment for patients with bleeding haemorrhoids and subsequent anaemia. In our experience, the success rate was satisfactory and there were no serious complications.

Residual Prolapse in Patients with III-IV Degree Haemorrhoids Undergoing Stapled Haemorrhoidopexy with CPH34 HV: Results of an Italian Multicentric Clinical Study

CPH34 HV, a high volume stapler, was tested in order to assess its safety and efficacy in reducing residual/recurrent haemorrhoids. The clinical charts of 430 patients with third- to fourth-degree haemorrhoids undergoing SH in 2012-2013 were consecutively reviewed, excluding those with obstructed defecation (rectocele >2 cm; Wexner's score >15). Follow-up was scheduled at six and 12 months. Rectal prolapse exceeding more than half of CAD was reported in 341 patients (79.3%); one technical failure was reported (0.2%) without any serious untoward effect; and 1.3 stitch/patient (SD, 1.7) was required to achieve complete haemostasis. Doughnuts volume was higher (13.8 mL; SD, 1.5) in patients with a large rectal prolapse than with smaller one (8.9 mL; SD, 0.7) (P value <0.05). Residual and recurrent haemorrhoids occurred in 8 of 430 patients (1.8%) and 5 of 254 patients (1.9%), respectively. A high index of patient satisfaction (visual analogue scale = 8.9; SD, 0.9) coupled with a persistent reduction of constipation scores (CSS = 5.0, SD, 2.2) was observed. The wider prolapse resection well correlated with a clear-cut reduction of haemorrhoidal relapse, a high index of patient satisfaction, and clinically relevant reduction of constipations scores coupled with satisfactory haemostatic properties of CPH34 HV.

Tailored prolapse surgery for the treatment of haemorrhoids and obstructed defecation syndrome with a new dedicated device: TST STARR Plus

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to assess the safety, efficacy and feasibility of stapled transanal procedures performed by a new dedicated device, TST STARR Plus, for tailored transanal stapled surgery.

METHODS

All the consecutive patients admitted to eight referral centres affected by prolapses with III-IV degrees haemorrhoids or obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) with rectocele and/or rectal intussusception that underwent stapled transanal resection with TST STARR plus were included in the present study. Haemostatic stitches for bleeding of the suture line, specimen volume, operative time, hospital stay and perioperative complications were recorded.

RESULTS

From 1 November 2012 to 31 March 2013, 160 consecutive patients (96 females) were enrolled in the study. In 94 patients, the prolapse was over the half of the circular anal dilator (CAD). The mean duration of the procedure was 25 min. The mean resected volume of the specimen was 13.3 cm(3), the mean hospital stay was 2.2 days. In 88 patients (55%), additional stitches on the suture line were needed (mean 2.1). Suture line dehiscence was reported in four cases, with intraoperative reinforcement. Bleeding was reported in seven patients (5%). Urgency after 30 days was reported in one patient. No major complication occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

The new device seems to be safe and effective for a tailored approach to anorectal prolapse due to haemorrhoids or obstructed defecation.

Stapled anopexy and STARR in surgical treatment of haemorrhoidal disease

The treatment of hemorrhoidal disease using stapled anopexy (SA) is still burdened by a high incidence of recurrence. Probably this condition is secondary to inadequate removal of the prolapsed tissue due to the reduced capacity of resection from the adopted device. In order to limit the incidence of failures by providing a removal of a greater amount of prolapsed tissue was considered the opportunity to use the STARR technique even in the presence of haemorrhoidal disease not burdened by symptoms of obstructed defecation. We evaluated the early and at a distance results of 285 patients who had undergone in 2007-2011 surgical resection with trans-anal circular stapler for symptomatic III-IV degree haemorrhoids without obstructed defecation disorders. 237 patients were subjected to SA, while in the remaining 48, since on intervention prolapse committed the CAD more than half of the device, we performed a STARR. adopted the Chi square test (C) considering significant p-values less than 0.05. The anamnestic preoperative evaluation allowed to put the correct indication for surgical treatment in 80% of patients. Mean operative times, hospital stay, incidence of early and more important complications, the symptomatic recurrence of disease (5%) were not dissimilar in the two groups under consideration. Conversely (p < 0.05) the relief of residual asymptomatic disease (24 vs. 10%) was significant . The overall satisfaction was significantly higher in the ST group (73.5 vs 58.6%). The STARR in case of massive prolapse who express themselves with only haemorrhoidal disease is a safe technique, able to optimize the long-term effectiveness of trans-anal resection surgery, limiting the incidence of symptomatic recurrences. The information offered to the patient at the time of the consent to surgery must be extensive and detailed, always considering the possibility of adopting the two techniques alternately and that, at completion of the intervention, could be necessary also the removal of persistent skin tags.

Correlation of histopathology with anorectal manometry following stapled hemorrhoidopexy

Purpose

The removal of smooth muscle during stapled hemorrhoidopexy raises concerns regarding its effects on postoperative anorectal function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the amount of muscle removed and changes in anorectal manometry following stapled hemorrhoidopexy.

Methods

Patients with symptomatic II, III, or IV degree hemorrhoids that underwent stapled hemorrhoidopexy between January 2008 and May 2011 were included in this study. Anorectal manometry was performed preoperatively and at three months postoperatively. The resected doughnuts were examined histologically, and the thicknesses of muscle fibers were evaluated.

Results

Eighty-five patients (34 males) with a median age of 47 years were included. Muscularis propria fibers were identified in 63 of 85 pathologic specimens (74.1%). The median thickness of the muscle fibers was 1.58 ± 1.21 mm (0 to 4.5 mm). The mean resting pressure decreased by approximately 7 mmHg after operation in the 85 patients (P = 0.019). In patients with muscle incorporation, there was a significant difference in mean resting pressure (P = 0.041). In the analysis of the correlation of the difference in anorectal manometry results ([the result of postsurgical anorectal manometry] - [the result of presurgical anorectal manometry]) to the thickness of muscle fibers, no significant differences were seen. No patients presented with fecal incontinence.

Conclusion

Although the incidence of fecal incontinence is very low, muscle incorporation in the resected doughnuts following stapled hemorrhoidopexy may affect anorectal pressure. Therefore, surgeons should endeavor to minimize internal sphincter injury during stapled hemorrhoidopexy.

Stapled hemorrhoidopexy versus Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy in circumferential third-degree hemorrhoids: long-term results of a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The literature indicates higher recurrence rates for stapled hemorrhoidopexy than for conventional techniques. This could be due to inappropriate patient selection.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term outcome after stapled hemorrhoidopexy compared with the Milligan-Morgan procedure in a homogeneous patient population with circumferential third-degree hemorrhoids.

DESIGN AND PATIENTS

One hundred thirty patients were enrolled into a randomized controlled study, of which 122 were clinically evaluated at weeks 1, 2, and 4, and thereafter each year for a minimum of 3 years. Patients completed a questionnaire for symptoms, function, and pain. Pain was assessed using a visual analog scale. Recurrences were determined by anoscopy and self-report.

SETTINGS

The study was performed at the University Hospital Hamburg.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Endpoints were pain, recurrence, bleeding, itching/burning, urinary retention, incontinence symptoms, and prolonged rate of wound healing.

RESULTS

The cumulative recurrence rates after 5 years were 18 % (n = 11) in the stapled hemorrhoidopexy group and 23 % (n = 14) in the Milligan-Morgan group (p = 0.65). Patients who underwent stapled hemorrhoidopexy had significantly less postoperative pain with mean VAS scores at week 1: 3.1 vs. 6.2; week 2: 0.5 vs. 3; week 4: 0.05 vs. 0.6 (p < 0.001), and demonstrated less burning/itching sensation 4 weeks after surgery compared with the Milligan-Morgan group (4.9 vs. 19.7 %; p < 0.001). The postoperative bleeding rate was 4.9 % in both groups and the rate of urinary retention did not differ significantly (4.9 % vs. 1.6 %; p = 0.309). Postoperative incontinence symptoms (6.6 % versus 3.3 %; p = 0.40) resolved within the first 6 months.

LIMITATIONS

Detailed measurement of incontinence was not possible because postoperative symptoms resolved between consultations, and pathological results were examined retrospectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The results show a similar rate of recurrence in the long term and suggest increased patient comfort in the early postoperative course after stapled hemorrhoidopexy. In patients with circumferential third-degree hemorrhoids, stapled hemorrhoidopexy is as effective as the Milligan-Morgan procedure.

Double stapled haemorrhoidopexy for haemorrhoidal prolapse: indications, feasibility and safety

AIM

Selected patients with haemorrhoidal prolapse undergoing double stapled anopexy with the procedure for prolapse and haemorrhoids (PPH03) were studied.

METHOD

Between March 2007 and March 2010, 235 patients referred with haemorrhoids were included in the study. Patients with obstructed defaecation were excluded. At surgery intraoperative evaluation for double stapled anopexy was carried out based on the criteria of prolapse occupying half or more of the anal circumference and redundant prolapsed tissue determined by the circular anal dilator. Patients fulfilling these criteria were submitted for double stapled anopexy with the PPH03 stapler. All clinical and operative data were recorded in a prospectively maintained database.

RESULTS

Among the 142 patients with haemorrhoidal prolapse having surgery 91 had a single and 51 a double stapled technique. The mean operative time was 34.8 min with no major or minor intraoperative complications. Recurrence at 48 months was 1.9% and the mean satisfaction score was 8.9.

CONCLUSION

The double stapled PPH03 technique in selected cases was as safe and effective as a single stapling technique with a lower incidence of recurrence over a medium-term follow-up.

Sacral nerve modulation in the treatment of chronic pain after pelvic surgery

AIM

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of sacral nerve modulation for chronic pelvic pain after pelvic or anal surgery for benign disease.

METHOD

From January 2004 to December 2009, 17 (14 female; age 56 years) consecutive patients suffering from chronic pelvic pain underwent evaluation for sacral nerve modulation in three pelvic floor units.

RESULTS

The previous surgery included stapled transanal rectal resection (five), hysterectomy (four), haemorrhoidectomy (two), stapled haemorrhoidopexy (one), fistulectomy (one), urethral sphincterotomy (one), appendicectomy (one), discectomy (one) and laparoscopy for endometriosis (one). Eight (47%) patients fulfilled the criteria for definitive implantation and were followed for a mean of 39 months. Using a visual analog pain score, pain levels fell from 8.2 preoperatively to 1.9, 2.1, 2.0 and 1.8 at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months, respectively. Age < 60 years and duration of symptoms of < 24 months were good predictors and stapling was a poor predictor of success.

CONCLUSION

Sacral nerve modulation seems to be effective over time in some patients with chronic pain related to previous surgery.

PPH-01 versus PPH-03 to perform STARR for the treatment of hemorrhoids associated with large internal rectal prolapse: a prospective multicenter randomized trial

PURPOSE

This multicenter randomized study was designed to compare the clinical and functional results of stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) performed with 2 staplers (PPH-01 vs. PPH-03) in the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease associated with a large internal rectal prolapse.

METHODS

From a total of 937 patients, referred for hemorrhoidal disease in the 20 centers involved in the study, 425 (45.3%) with prolapsed hemorrhoids associated with a large internal rectal prolapse were randomized to undergo STARR with PPH-01 or PPH-03. Postoperative evaluation was made at 3, 6, and 12 months.

RESULTS

The incidence of bleeding at the stapled line was significantly lower in the PPH-03 group than in the PPH-01 group (58/207 [28.0%] vs. 145/201 [72.1%]; P < .0001); the mean number of hemostatic stitches was significantly higher in the PPH-01 than in the PPH-03 group (3.2 ± 0.1 vs. 1.8 ± 0.8; P < .0001). The mean operative time was 25.1 ± 11.5 minutes in the PPH-03 group and 38.1 ± 15.7 minutes in the PPH-01 group (P < .0001). No major complications occurred in either of the groups. At 12-month follow-up, the success rate in the 2 groups was 94.5% in the PPH01 group and 94.2% in the PPH03 group.

CONCLUSION

STARR performed for the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease associated with a large rectal prolapse is a safe and effective procedure. The use of the PPH-03 stapler instead of the PPH-01 guarantees a statistically significant reduction of intraoperative bleeding and a significant decrease of the operative time.

Stapled haemorrhoidopexy transiently decreases rectal compliance and sensitivity

AIM

Stapled haemorrhoidopexy may damage the anorectal musculature and its sensorimotor function. Most studies have not used a barostat for the measurement of compliance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of stapled haemorrhoidopexy on rectal compliance and sensitivity.

METHOD

After Ethical Committee approval, we studied 10 male patients (mean age 33.8 years) with third- or fourth-degree haemorrhoids. Rectal compliance and sensitivity were measured with a 600-ml bag and an electronic barostat. Volunteers were submitted to two consecutive rectal distension protocols, including continuous distension at 2, 4 and 6 months after stapled haemorrhoidopexy. Intraluminal volume and pressure were recorded, including the first rectal sensation, desire to defecate and onset of rectal pain. Another group of 10 male control patients (mean age 24.9 years) with pilonidal sinus and no haemorrhoids was also included in the study.

RESULTS

Two months after stapled haemorrhoidopexy, rectal compliance decreased (7.1 ± 0.2 vs 5.3 ± 0.1, 6.4 ± 0.1 vs 5.1 ± 0.1 and 5.6 ± 0.2 vs 4.7 ± 0.1 ml/mmHg for first rectal sensation, desire to defecate and rectal pain, respectively; P < 0.05). The sensitivity threshold volume did not change for the first sensation but decreased significantly for the desier to defecate and pain (p <0.05) (116.8 ± 13.8 vs 148.4 ± 14.61, 251.1 ± 8.9 vs 185.8 ± 8.6 and 293.3 ± 16.6 vs 221.2 ± 6.0 ml for first rectal sensation, desire to defecate and rectal pain, respectively). Four and 6 months after surgery, rectal compliance and sensitivity returned to levels similar to those in the basal period. Muscle tissue was found in only three of the 10 resected doughnuts. Controls remained without any change in rectal compliance and sensitivity.

CONCLUSION

Stapled haemorrhoidopexy transiently decreases rectal compliance and sensitivity threshold in young male patients.

New approach to large haemorrhoidal prolapse: double stapled haemorrhoidopexy

PURPOSE

To verify if in large haemorrhoidal prolapse (independently from the degree) in patients with no symptoms of obstructed defaecation syndrome, the use of a stapled hemorrhoidopexy variant, comprising a double stapler haemorrhoidopexy (DSH), makes it possible to reduce the percentage of failures or relapses and to standardise an objective intraoperative parameter for the purpose of quantifying internal prolapses which can then be used as a guide in determining the type of treatment to be provided.

METHODS

Between June 2003 and June 2004, 353 patients were treated for haemorrhoidal prolapse. The patients suffering from large haemorrhoidal prolapse occupying more than half of the length of the anal dilator were intraoperatively selected for DSH.

RESULTS

Eighty-three patients (23.5%) underwent a DSH. The degrees of the large haemorrhoidal prolapse intraoperatively selected for DSH were sub-divided as follows: 7.2% (second), 24% (third) and 68.6% (fourth). The follow-up period was 48 months. There were three cases (3.6%) of residual illnesses and five cases (6%) of a relapse. The following complications were recorded: urgency at <3 months (7.2%), haemostasis revisions (2.4%) and spontaneously draining anterior haematoma (1.2%). The results of the 270 haemorrhoidal prolapse (38 second degree, 159 third degree and 130 fourth degree) treated with the procedure for prolapse and haemorrhoids were: nine (3.3%) residual illness and 12 (4.44%) relapse illness. The following complications were recorded: urgency at <3 months (6.6%), haemostasis revisions (2.5%) and spontaneously draining anterior haematoma (0.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

The intraoperative selection criterion was both efficacious and reproducible. This variant technique, which can be used in large haemorrhoidal prolapses, could allow us to further improve the quality of treatment for haemorrhoidal conditions using stapled haemorrhoidopexy, without increasing the complications.