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PURPOSE: Stapled hemorrhoidopexy (SH) was introduced in 1998. Early in the experience, a standard circular stapler was often used, while later specifically designed staplers for SH were developed. Although the diameter of the circular cutting knife differ significantly, it remains unclear, if the volume of the excised tissue differs and if this has an influence on the long-term results and complications. METHODS: We evaluated in a prospective consecutive database that underwent SH from January 2003 through April 2004. There were three devices used during the study period: end-to-end-anastomosis (EEA) 31, stapler device for haemorrhoids (SDH) and procedure for prolapse and haemorrhoids (PPH). Procedure selection was at the discretion of the surgeon; however, the indications for surgery were similar for all involved surgeons. Demographic and operative characteristics were analysed. Follow-up data were collected continuously over the time, and in May 2010, these patients received a questionnaire. Data were compared by t test and chi-square test, respectively. RESULTS: There were 214 (97 females) evaluable patients. Seventy-three patients were operated with EEA-31, 52 with SDH- and 89 with PPH. The median follow-up was 6.8 years and complete data were available for 131 (61.2%) patients. Demographic characteristics were comparable within the three groups. SDH (6 ml) and PPH (6.5 ml) resected significantly (p < 0.05) more tissue than EEA (5 ml). Early postoperative incontinence rate was significantly higher in the PPH group (6%) as compared to EEA (1%) and SDH (0%). The incidence of other early complications was similar across techniques. The overall complication rates and reoperation rates were similar. Although 41% of the patients had minor anorectal complaints (itching and soiling), incontinence rates were low (2-3%) without any significant differences between the devices. CONCLUSIONS: The results of cohort of SH patients support the conclusion that short- and long-term outcomes are device independent, although each approach is associated with a modest degree of ongoing anorectal symptoms.

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PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to analyse the outcomes of all patients requiring a reoperation after an initial circular stapled haemorrhoidopexy (SH) for prolapsing haemorrhoids. METHODS: Data of all patients undergoing a circular SH from 1998 thru 2007 available in a prospectively collected database were reviewed, and all patients who had reoperations were studied. RESULTS: During the study period, 1,233 patients (551 females, median age 52 years) underwent a circular SH. Complete follow-up was available in all patients (median follow-up 7 months, range 0.5-100); 127 patients (10.3%) required one or more reoperations. Early reoperations (<30 days) were necessary in 47 patients (3.8%), and 45 (3.6%) were stapler-related complications. Late reoperations (>30 days) were performed in 84 patients (6.8%) and 57 (4.6%) were stapler-related. A learning curve was observed with significant reduction of early (<30 days) and late (>30 days) reoperation rate with time. CONCLUSIONS: Reoperations after SH are necessary in about 10% of the patients. The majority of the reoperations are due to either complications arising from circular SH, recurrent/persistent haemorrhoidal symptoms or other anorectal issues not addressed by the circular SH procedure (3.8% early; 6.8% late). Circular SH appears to be an effective procedure for symptomatic haemorrhoidal disease; however, training and learning curve issues should be addressed to minimise treatment failures.

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Perianal streptococcal dermatitis is an infectious disease that predominantly affects younger children and is mostly caused by Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. Although patients are mostly seen primarily by their pediatrician or family physician, the diagnosis is not infrequently established just after referral to a dermatologist or colorectal surgeon. We report a case series of 124 children, aged 14 years or younger, who were seen at our office for anorectal complaints between February 2003 and September 2006. Twenty-one of 124 patients (16 percent) were diagnosed with perianal streptococcal dermatitis on the basis of a positive perianal swab by microbiologic analysis. Perianal streptococcal dermatitis was the most frequent infectious disease in that age group in our practice. Sixteen (of 21, 76 percent) patients were male, and the mean age was 6.3 years. One course of systemic antibiotic treatment augmented by additional local antiseptic ointment in selected cases cured all patients within 10 to 14 days. One patient presented with a new perianal streptococcal dermatitis episode five months after treatment and was successfully retreated with an oral antibiotic. With this report, we wish to alert the colorectal community of the diagnosis because it may be underdiagnosed in our practices and thereby lead to prolonged discomfort, protracted disease, and potentially harmful sequelae for these typically very young patients.

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Although stapled anopexy for second and third degree hemorrhoids has been widely used since 1998, there are limited long-term data available. We performed an analysis of a prospectively accrued data set of all patients undergoing stapled anopexy in our practice from 1998 through August 2003. Patients were specifically assessed for early and late complications and long-term reoperation rates for anorectal pathology. We performed stapled anopexy in 654 patients (296 females) during the study period. Mean operation time was 21 min (5-70 min), and the postoperative stay was 3.6 days (1-13 days). Early postoperative complications: urinary retention, 42 patients (6.4%); fecal impaction, 18 (2.8%); postoperative hemorrhage, 26 (4.0%); thrombosed external hemorrhoid, four (0.6%); and fistula/abscess, nine (1.4%). Late postoperative complications: anastomotic dehiscence, 21 patients (3.2%); persistence of prolapse in three (0.5%); submucosal anastomotic cysts in four (0.6%); thrombosed external hemorrhoid in two (0.3%); skin tags in ten (1.5%); fissure in six (0.9%); proctitis in two (0.3%); and fecal incontinence in ten (1.5%). Reoperation was required in 50 patients (7.6%). Reoperation for complications within 30 days occurred in 42 patients (6.4%) for the following reasons: bleeding (23), dehiscence (five), thrombosed external hemorrhoid (three), fecal retention (two), fistula (three), fissure (five), and anal papilla (one). Reoperation for anorectal pathology after 30 days was required in 54 patients (8.3%) and was performed for the following: dehiscence/reprolapse (17), stenosis (two), submucous cyst (two), fistula (four), fissure (six), anal papilla (four), skin tags (five), persistent anal itching (five), and miscellaneous (seven). These data represent the largest series of patients with long-term follow-up following stapled anopexy and confirm that the operation is safe in experienced hands using appropriate patient selection. The early complication rate is low and similar to rates reported for excisional hemorrhoidectomy. Importantly, the procedure is associated with a low 3.4% rate of reoperation for persistence or recurrence of hemorrhoidal prolapse with good patient selection.

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