Comparison of Hemorrhoid Electrotherapy with Direct Current and LigaSure Hemorrhoidectomy in the Treatment of Hemorrhoidal Disease

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to compare LigaSure hemorrhoidectomy and direct current electrotherapy in the treatment of grade 2 and grade 3 internal hemorrhoids.
METHODS: This study was designed as a retrospective analysis including patients with symptomatic grade 2 and 3 internal hemorrhoids unresponsive to medical treatment. A total of 50 patients with complete follow-up data were divided into two groups of 25 each. In the galvanization group, hemorrhoidal columns were coagulated using electrotherapy with a current probe set between 2 and 16 mA. LigaSure hemorrhoidectomy was performed as a routine open surgical procedure in the other group. Operation time, postoperative pain, hospital stay, and clinical stage were recorded. Patients were followed up regularly for 3 months to assess healing, late complications, and recurrence.
RESULTS: Patients underwent rectoscopy at the 3rd postoperative month. Patients with grade 2 or 3 hemorrhoids, as confirmed by endoscopy and physical examination, were classified as having a recurrence. The LigaSure method showed a statistically significant difference in recurrence rates (p < 0.05). The mean operative time for the galvanization method was 26 minutes, and this difference was also statistically significant (p < 0.05). Pain scores were significantly lower with direct current electrotherapy compared to other methods (p < 0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Hemorrhoidal coagulation with galvanic electrotherapy reduces operative time and hospitalization duration. Additionally, the relapse rate and postoperative pain, as measured by VAS scores, are lower with this procedure compared to LigaSure hemorrhoidectomy. However, late complications and the intensity of late postoperative pain may be comparable between the two surgical methods.