National UK audit of procedure for prolapsing haemorrhoids on behalf of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the safety and short term outcomes of the procedure for prolapsing haemorrhoids (PPH), a relatively new procedure for the treatment of symptomatic haemorrhoids.

METHOD

In 2005, the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland set up an online electronic database to audit the indications and outcomes for patients undergoing a PPH procedure.

RESULTS

During the audit period, 695 patients were entered onto the database by 61 surgeons (range 1-50 patients per surgeon). The main indications for surgery were bleeding (90.5%) and prolapse (83.9%). Three hundred and ninety-seven (57.1%) patients had grade III or IV haemorrhoids. PPH was performed under general anaesthetic in 602 (86.6%) cases and a consultant surgeon performed the procedure in 572 (82.3%) cases. The median length of stay was 1 day (range 0-6 days). Two hundred and eighty-nine (41.6%) procedures were performed as a day case. Immediate complications were recorded in 75 (10.8%) patients, the commonest being bleeding (21) and urinary retention (24). At 6-week follow-up, 626 (90.1%) patients were pain free. Five patients required hospital re-admission for secondary haemorrhage (3), peri-anal abscess (1) and pain (1). The commonest problems were minor bleeding (48), urgency (22), pain (14), continued prolapse (12) and pruritus (11). Four patients required an open haemorrhoidectomy for persistent symptomatic haemorrhoids.

CONCLUSION

Procedure for PPH is a safe and effective procedure for symptomatic haemorrhoids with good short-term outcomes. Long-term follow-up is required perhaps through a compulsory national register.