In medicine a stapled hemorrhoidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove hemmorhoidal veins and surrounding hemmorrhodial tissue.

Stapled hemorrhoidectomy (also called "PPH" or "stapled hemorrhoidopexy") is a procedure whereby a surgical stapler with a circular head (or anvil) is inserted into the anal opening and advanced to a point just proximal to the dentate line. The stapler is fired, the tissue is removed and the remaining ends of tissue are reattached using a double circular row of titanium staples. These staples fall out naturally over four to six weeks. The procedure is usually performed under sedation as an outpatient.

Since the area around the dentate line is richly innervated with pain fibers, using the stapler to remove hemorrhoidal tissue proximal to the dentate line is much less painful for the patient in the postoperative period.

Studies have repeatedly shown that when compared with a conventional hemorrhoidectomy, stapled hemorrhoidectomy results in less postoperative pain, a more rapid return to work or to the activities of daily life and a lower recurrence rate. Although there are risks associated with the procedure, they are the same risks that are associated with a traditional hemorrhoidectomy, namely bleeding, pain, infection and recurrences.

See also

• Hemorrhidectomy