[Treatment of hemorrhoids with the Longo technique. Preliminary results of a prospective study on 94 cases]

Abstract

Aim of study: The aim of this multicenter prospective study was to report the early results of Longo procedure for the surgical treatment of hemorrhoids disease.

Patients and method: From April 1998 to July 1998, 94 patients (60 men and 34 women with a mean age of 47 years) were treated according to Longo procedure for a mucosal prolapse (12 grade II, 63 grade III, and 19 grade IV). All patients were evaluated at 2 and 6 postoperative months. The technique consisted in the reduction of mucosal and hemorrhoidal prolapses with a circular suturing device.

Results: Postoperative morbidity rate was 6.3% (n = 6). A rectal bleeding occurred within 12 hours after surgery in five patients. The mean postoperative length of hospital stay was 36 hours (range: 24-72 hours). The only antalgic prescribed was paracetamol. Local care was not necessary in any patient. After 6 months, 89 patients (94.7%) were very satisfied, three patients (3.2%) were satisfied (rectal sub-mucosal abscess in one case, functional troubles in two cases) and two patients (2.1%) were not satisfied (persistence of mucosal prolapse).

Conclusion: These preliminary results are satisfactory but need to be confirmed by a prospective randomized trial, comparing Milligan Morgan procedure and Longo procedure.