Comparison of Laser Hemorrhoidoplasty and Conventional (Milligan-Morgan) Hemorrhoidectomy for the Treatment of Hemorrhoids

Background: Haemorrhoids are a common anorectal disease which can produce pain, bleeding, itching and prolapse affecting daily life of many patients. Different surgical procedures are available for treatment but there is still debates regarding the better techniques with respect to post-operative recovery and pain. Objective: To compare laser haemorrhoidoplasty and conventional Milligan-Morgan haemorrhoidectomy for the treatment of haemorrhoids. Study Design: Randomised controlled trial. Duration and Place of Study: This study was carried out from 28 November 2024 to 28 May 2025 in the Department of General Surgery Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital Swat. Methodology: A total of 152 patients with haemorrhoids were randomly allocated into two equal groups. Group A underwent laser haemorrhoidoplasty, while Group B underwent conventional Milligan-Morgan haemorrhoidectomy under general anaesthesia. Length of hospital stay and post-operative pain after 24 hours were recorded. Data were analysed by using Independent Sample t-test after descriptive statistics.  Results: There were 76 patients in each group. Mean age was 43.08±9.23 years in laser group and 42.79±9.93 years in conventional group. Majority of patients were male, 49 (64.5%) and 53 (69.7%), respectively. Mean hospital stay was significantly shorter in laser group than conventional group (1.44±0.27 versus 2.70±0.30 days, p<0.001). Mean post-operative pain score was also significantly lower in laser group (3.17±0.38 versus 6.14±0.50, p<0.001). Conclusion: Laser haemorrhoidoplasty showed better short-term outcomes than conventional Milligan-Morgan haemorrhoidectomy by producing less post-operative pain and shorter hospital stay.