New Zealand's early experience in stapled haemorrhoidopexy.

AIM: Stapled haemorrhoidopexy is being increasingly integrated into the available options for treatment of haemorrhoidal disease. This study aimed to investigate the postoperative complications encountered in New Zealand up to December 2003.

METHOD: A postal survey was conducted of surgeons who perform stapled haemorrhoidopexy in New Zealand.

RESULTS

28 of 29 surgeons responded. Reports on complications, including postoperative bleeding, urinary retention, sepsis, rectovaginal fistula, faecal incontinence, faecal urgency, anal stricture and persistent anal pain, and incidence of residual disease were encouraging and comparable with other studies.

CONCLUSION

Stapled haemorrhoidopexy is becoming increasingly accepted by New Zealand surgeons as data and experience continue to be reassuring on the safety and efficacy of the procedure.