Causes and countermeasures of complications after Ligasure hemorrhoidectomy

The LigaSure vessel sealer system, a new tissue coagulation device, has good coagulation characteristics and minimal tissue damage, and has been used abroad in hemorrhoidectomy with good clinical results. The pressure of the vascular closure jaws causes the collagen and fibrin in the vessel wall and tissue bundles to melt and denature, and the vessel wall is fused and welded to form a transparent band, producing permanent lumen closure. Due to the low thermal damage of LigaSure, the ease of operation, the short time taken, and the firm closure of the hemorrhoidal vessels, LigSure hemorrhoidectomy has a good hemostatic effect and can significantly shorten the operation time. However, as an invasive treatment, some postoperative complications can still occur. Pain is the most common postoperative complication of anorectal surgery. Ligasure hemorrhoidectomy is less painful than conventional surgery because the ligature speed vascular closure system closes without significant crusting, and the heat transfer distance is short, thermal damage is small, the operation is easy and short, the closure of the nucleus pulposus is secure, and the operation is almost bloodless, so the operation has significantly less edema on the anal canal mucosa and the skin outside the anal verge than conventional surgery. We have found that pain is more pronounced on the night of surgery and during the first postoperative bowel movement, and is often relieved by a single analgesic treatment, which is a significant improvement over the previous conventional hemorrhoidectomy. Recent studies have also shown that the incidence of pain and the use of analgesics after Ligasurectomy are lower than in conventional hemorrhoidectomy. Postoperative hemorrhage is one of the most serious complications after Ligasure hemorrhoidectomy. Bleeding within 24 hours after surgery is mostly primary bleeding, while bleeding after 24 hours is mostly secondary bleeding, and severe hemorrhage can lead to hemorrhagic shock. Postoperative hemorrhage, due to the throttling function of the anus. Make the blood backflow into the sigmoid colon or even descending colon and only a small amount of blood or no blood comes out of the anus; when the patient has the urge to stool and the anus drops down. Suddenly a large amount of stale blood and clots are discharged, and the patient quickly develops deficiency or even shock. All five cases in this group were secondary to bleeding, four of which occurred about 7 days after surgery and one case occurred on the 14th postoperative day. The reasons for their occurrence were analyzed as follows: (1) infection of the wound surface, local tissue necrosis, and blood oozing from the wound surface; (2) dislodging or splitting of the ligature band after crusting to open the vascular section; and (3) active bleeding points not ligated during surgery. Because of the seriousness of postoperative hemorrhage, we believe that the following issues need to be noted during the actual operation: ① the indications for surgery should be strictly controlled, those with a history of hemorrhagic disease should not be operated on, and hypertensive patients should be operated on when their blood pressure is controlled; ② the Ligasure closure forceps do not need to clamp and remove the entire hemorrhoid nucleus, but only 2/3 of it can be closed and removed, because its thermal effect can affect the remaining hemorrhoids. The LigaSure Vascular Closure System is mainly used for resection of prolapsed hemorrhoids, because of the wide jaws, it may cause bleeding in the process of clamping the prolapsed hemorrhoids, and it is not easy to stop the bleeding by clamping again. The hemorrhoid nucleus that does not prolapse obviously is not recommended for excision, and those that do need treatment can be considered for injection of sclerotherapy; ④ In the parent hemorrhoid area where arterial pulsation can be palpated, if there is still bleeding after closure, use absorbable threads to run through the middle of the closure zone with “8” sutures to stop bleeding, which is not reliable enough for treatment by clamping closure only. The post-operative moistening of the stool should be kept loose and fluent, not too hard. The postoperative use of compounded caprylate suppositories has a good protective effect on the trauma after LigaSure hemorrhoidectomy. In addition, the lubricating effect of caprylate can also reduce the friction on the trauma during defecation, reducing the possibility of postoperative bleeding.