Comparison of Milligan Morgan Hemorrhoidectomy and Direct Current Electrotherapy for the Treatment of Hemorrhoidal Disease

Abstract

Background: It is aimed to compare Milligan Morgan hemorrhoidectomy and direct current electrotherapy for the treatment of grade 2 and grade 3 internal hemorrhoids. Material and Methods: Patients with symptomatic grade 2 or 3 internal hemorrhoids which is refractory to medical treatment were enrolled in this retrospective study. In the galvanization group, hemorrhoidal columns were coagulated using electrotherapy by a 2mA to 16mA current probe. And the Milligan Morgan hemorrhoidectomy was applied routinely as an open surgical procedure. Operative time, postoperative pain, hospitalization duration, clinical stage was measured. Patients were followed up for 3 months for healing, late complications and the recurrence. Results: The operative time and the hospitalization duration were significantly more in Milligan Morgan group (p<0.05). The relapse occurred in 3 patients in Milligan Morgan group and in 1 patient in galvanization group. The relaps rate was statistically less in galvanization group (p<0.05). Postoperative pain scores were similar in two groups at seventh day of the surgery (p=0.326). But at the first and third day of surgery the VAS values were higher in Milligan Morgan group (p=0.032). Conclusion: Hemorrhoidal coagulation with galvanic electrotherapy reduces the operation time and hospitalization duration. Also the relaps rate and the postoperative pain which is scored by the VAS values are less in this procedure according to the Milligan Morgan open surgery. However the late complications and late postoperative pain violence may be equivalent between these two surgery types.