Hemorrhoidectomy Using the Harmonic Scalpel versus the Ferguson Technique

Abstract Introduction Hemorrhoidal disease is an anorectal condition commonly encountered in the clinical practice. Various instruments, such as circular staplers, harmonic scalpels, lasers, and bipolar electrothermal devices, are used in different modalities of hemorrhoidectomy in cases of high-grade hemorrhoids. Objective T compare the results of hemorrhoidectomy using the Ferguson technique and the harmonic scalpel. Materials and Methods The present is a randomized prospective study involving 60 patients submitted to hemorrhoidectomy from February 2022 to January 2024. The patients were randomly grouped: group I was composed of 30 patients who underwent the operation through the conventional Ferguson technique, and group II was composed of 30 patients submitted to hemorrhoidectomy with the use of the harmonic scalpel. Results The demographic and clinical features of the patients in the two groups were identical. We found a significant difference in the mean operative time: for the Ferguson technique, it was of 21.9 ± 4.6 minutes, while for the harmonic scalpel, it was of 17.9 ± 3.1 minutes (p = 0.003). The mean postoperative pain scores on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were of 7.1 ± 1.2 points for group I, and of 6.5 ± 0.5 points for group II (p = 0.024). And the mean hospital stay was of 1.23 ± 2.1 days for group I, and of 1.03 ± 0.1 for group II (p = 0.023). No statistical significance was observed regarding the other parameters. Conclusion Hemorrhoidectomy using the harmonic scalpel seems to be a superior approach to treat high-grade hemorrhoids; it has the advantage of reduced hospital stay, decreased postoperative pain, and shorter operative time.