Sutureless Hemorrhoidectomy Versus Conventional Ligation in Advanced Hemorrhoids

Overview

Hemorrhoidal disease is a frequent benign anorectal ailment in surgical practice. Conventional excisional hemorrhoidectomy using the Milligan-Morgan technique remains effective but is significantly limited by severe postoperative pain and related complications. Sutureless hemorrhoidectomy utilizing energy-based vessel sealing devices (such as LigaSure or Harmonic Scalpel) aims to minimize tissue trauma, blood loss, and postoperative discomfort. This prospective comparative randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate and compare the perioperative and postoperative outcomes of sutureless hemorrhoidectomy versus conventional ligation hemorrhoidectomy in adult patients with advanced (grades III and IV) hemorrhoidal disease.

Symptomatic advanced hemorrhoids (grades III-IV) frequently require excisional surgical intervention. Traditional ligation techniques involve pedicle transfixion that often exacerbates postoperative pain, anal spasms, and urinary retention. Energy-based vessel sealing systems provide reliable pedicle occlusion without conventional transfixion or suture ligation, potentially expediting operative time and recovery. In this prospective randomized study conducted at the Department of General Surgery, Sohag University Hospital, 50 eligible adult patients with symptomatic grade III-IV hemorrhoidal disease will be randomly allocated (1:1) into two equal groups: Group A (n=25): Sutureless hemorrhoidectomy using an energy-based vessel sealing device. Group B (n=25): Conventional ligation hemorrhoidectomy using the standard Milligan-Morgan technique. Postoperatively, patients receive standardized analgesia and care, with systematic follow-up at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months to evaluate pain scores, bleeding, wound healing, complication rates, return to normal activity, and symptom recurrence.