Care with regard to details improves the outcome of Longo mucoprolapsectomy: long term follow up

In this study we evaluated the results of stapled hemorrhoidopexy considering the histological features of the resected tissue obtained after the intervention, the staple line height and the improvement of the quality of life after the treatment. From January 2003 to December 2006, 72 patients with symptomatic grade 3 and 4 hemorrhoid that underwent stapled hemorrhoidopexy in our clinic were enroled in the study. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative characteristics of the patients were evaluated, including demographics, staple line height, specimen histology, complications, recurrence, day to return to work, quality of life (QoL) score and use of analgesics. Staple line height was always above 2.5 cm from the dentate line. Smooth muscle fibers were observed in 97.2%. The complication rate was 18%. Bleeding was observed in 5.5%. Fecal urgency was referred in 6.9%. Recurrence rate was 6.9%. Mean follow-up was 68 months. Hemorrhoidopexy is safe and effective but extreme attention must be paid to some critical details. We consider the placement of the purse string suture as a critical factor in the outcome of the patients. We find that some amount of the muscle fibers would invariably be involved in the resected specimen, without any significant impact in the clinical outcome or in the quality of life improvement.