A modified Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy for circumferential prolapsed hemorrhoids with skin tags.

PURPOSE: We describe a modification of the Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy for circumferential prolapsed hemorrhoids. This details the operative procedure and compares the results of other radical methods in patients with circumferential hemorrhoidal disease.

METHODS: A total of 738 patients (mean age, 43 (range, 19-83) years) were treated with our modified Ferguson method under sedative analgesia between 1989 and 2004: 576 patients had Grade III and 162 patients had Grade IV hemorrhoids, and 131 patients also had a partial lateral internal sphincterotomy to correct anal hypertonia.

RESULTS: Postoperative bleeding occurred in 16 patients, 3 of whom required surgical hemostasis. Fecal impaction occurred in 11 patients and wound complications in 6 patients. Thirty-two patients needed bladder catheterization because of acute urinary retention. The median follow-up was 13.2 months in our outpatient department. One patient developed mild gas incontinence, five developed anal stenosis, and three had an anal fissure. Only three patients had recurrent skin tags, which did not affect their quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS: Our modified Ferguson method represents a good choice for radical treatment of circumferential prolapsed hemorrhoids because it is easy to perform, has few complications, and provides satisfying results.