Circumferential mucosectomy with stapled proctopexy is a safe, effective outpatient alternative for the treatment of symptomatic prolapsing hemorrhoids in the elderly

• Published in: Surgical endoscopy Vol. 17; no. 12; pp. 1990 - 1995
• Main Authors: JOHNSON, D. B, DISIENA, M. R, FANELLI, R. D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Springer 01.12.2003; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; Anesthesia, General; Anesthesia, Local; Anesthesia, Spinal; Biological and medical sciences; Conscious Sedation; Female; Hemorrhoids - surgery; Humans; Intestinal Mucosa - surgery; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pain, Postoperative - epidemiology; Pain, Postoperative - etiology; Patient Satisfaction; Rectal Prolapse - surgery; Safety; Stomach, duodenum, intestine, rectum, anus; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the digestive system; Surgical Stapling; Suture Techniques; Urinary Retention - etiology; Human; Indication; Rectal mucosal prolapse; Treatment efficiency; Mucosa; Hemorrhoidal disease; Cardiovascular disease; Surgical resection; Stapled hemorrhoidectomy Longo procedure; Venous disease; Vascular disease; Prolapsus; Surgery; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Hemorrhoid; Technique; Elderly; Anorectal disease
• ISSN: 0930-2794; 1432-2218
• DOI: 10.1007/s00464-003-8151-8

Circumferential mucosectomy with stapled proctopexy (CMSP) was first introduced in 1993 as a less painful and highly effective alternative to traditional operative hemorrhoidectomy. Although CMSP has many advantages over traditional hemorrhoidectomy, some authorities and insurers continue to regard it as an inpatient procedure and others have been slow to adopt this progressive technique. This study documents the safe and effective outpatient nature of this procedure. From December 2001 through August 2002, 33 patients with mucosal prolapse and prolapsing internal hemorrhoids were treated using circumferential mucosectomy with stapled proctopexy as outpatients at an ambulatory surgery center. Fourteen (42%) patients were treated using local anesthesia with intravenous sedation, 18 (55%) chose spinal anesthesia, and general anesthesia was used in one patient. Patients were evaluated postoperatively by telephone at 1 and 2 weeks, and seen in clinic at 4 weeks. One patient (3%) required an emergency department visit for minor postoperative bleeding. None of our elderly patients required emergency department evaluation and none reported significant complications. Four patients (13%) required urinary catheter placement prior to discharge from the surgery center due to urinary retention. One patient (3%) developed an uncomplicated urinary tract infection, which resolved with antibiotic treatment. Two patients were seen earlier than 4 weeks at the surgeon's request; one was immunocompromised from chemotherapy for metastatic carcinoid, and one reported persistent pain during initial telephone follow-up. No complications were identified in either patient, and no additional complications have been noted to date. CMSP is a safe, effective, time-efficient procedure for patients with mucosal prolapse and prolapsing hemorrhoids that can be performed safely in the ambulatory surgery center setting. Age is not a limiting factor in selecting patients for this safe outpatient procedure.