Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing HAL-RAR Versus Excisional Hemorrhoidectomy: Postoperative Pain, Clinical Outcomes, and Quality of Life.

PURPOSE: To compare outcomes of hemorrhoid artery ligation with recto-anal repair (HAL-RAR) and excisional hemorrhoidectomy (EH). The primary objective was to compare postoperative pain, and the secondary objectives were the following: symptom resolution rates, postoperative morbidity, recurrence, and changes in quality of life.

METHOD: Prospective randomized controlled trial, including 40 patients with grades III-IV hemorrhoids who were allocated 1:1 to HAL-RAR and EH. Follow-up evaluation was performed at 15 days, 30 days, 6 months, 12 months, and then annually. Pain was measured using a Visual Analogic Scale and was self-recorded by patients. Quality of life was measured with Short Form Survey-36 questionnaire.

RESULTS: Postoperative pain was lower in the HAL-RAR group during the first 30 postoperative days. Moreover, from day 7 onward more patients in the HAL-RAR group reported complete absence of pain (Visual Analogic Scale score = 0). Globally, symptom resolution was significantly higher ( P = .03) in the HAL-RAR group at day 15. Bleeding resolution was observed earlier in the HAL-RAR group than in the EH group ( P = .04), but no differences in the resolution of prolapse, itching, and soiling were observed during the 30-day follow-up. After a mean follow-up of 15 months (range 12-27 months), no differences in postoperative morbidity and no recurrences were observed. An improvement was observed in all sections evaluated by the Short Form Survey-36 questionnaire with both techniques.

CONCLUSION: HAL-RAR provokes less postoperative pain during a shorter period than EH and achieves resolution of hemorrhoidal symptoms with less postoperative complaints. No differences in morbidity and recurrence rate were observed after 12 months of follow-up.