Articles presenting treatment outcomes of stapled hemorrhoidopexy are rarely based on detailed analyses of the quality of life.
<bold>The aim of the study</bold> was the assessment of changes within one year of treatment in the quality of life of patients who underwent stapled hemorrhoidopexy using QLQ-C30 form (version 3).
<bold>Material and methods.</bold> 120 patients with grade III and IV internal hemorrhoidal disease treated with stapled hemorrhoidopexy were enrolled in the study. They answered questions from QLQ-C30 form and were subjected to examination a day before surgery and 1 day, 7 days, 4 weeks, 6 and 12 months after surgery. Assessment included operation site inspection, pain intensity measurement in VAS scale and parameters incorporated in QLQ-C30 form evaluation.
<bold>Results.</bold> The overall quality of life decreased immediately after surgery (a day after 50% vs. 60% before surgery), but rapidly improved in one week and in one month periods (60% and 80% consecutively) reaching a plateau one month after surgery. Early complications occurred in 6 patients (5%). Recurrence of the disease was not observed. Bleeding from anastomosis site and severe pain in anal area immediately post surgery as a result of improper purse-string suture placement were the main complications.
<bold>Conclusions.</bold> In patients with grade III or IV hemorrhoidal disease, stapled hemorrhoidopexy ensures a rapid improvement in the quality of life after surgery to the level experienced prior to the operation. 7-day convalescence period is sufficient. After one month, the overall quality of life improves significantly and reaches a plateau.