ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Chirurgia 2003 April;16(2):39-42

Copyright © 2003 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Treatment of hemorrhoids disease with Longo procedure: our experience

Interlandi A., Compagnone G., Busacca G.

Aim. Hemorrhoids disease is a common condition, with an estimated incidence of 50% in adult males. Surgical treatment has been extensively studied and reported by various authors.
Methods. An approach that merits particular attention is the Longo procedure. From March 2000 through November 2002, we performed the Longo procedure on 92 patients (36 women [39.1%] and 56 men [60.9%]). Patient satisfaction was evaluated using an interview questionnaire.
Results. Response to the questionnaire showed that very few patients experienced postoperative pain. Blood loss, a feared complication, occurred in 8 patients (8.7%) during the 1st 24 post-operative hours and in 3 patients (3.26%) at 1 week after intervention; incontinence occurred in 8 patients (8.7%) only during the initial 24 hours after intervention. Urinary disorders occurred in 18 patients (19.56%) during the 1st 24 hours. Very few patients experienced anal burning sensation and pruritus.
Conclusions. The authors believe that the Longo procedure is a valid technique. Performed accurately, the mucosa 4 cm above the pectinate line is treated, while respecting the anoderma and the highly innervated subvalular area ofthe anal canal. The complication rate is lower than that of the Milligam-Morgan procedure. The most feared complication is blood loss, which occurred in only 3 cases in our series. All patients received medical treatment with proctoscopic revision of sutures; no transfusions were administered. All patients were soon able to return to a normal social and productive life.