Early Outcomes of Skin-Sparing Hemorrhoidectomy and PExy (SHAPE) Versus Milligan-Morgan Hemorrhoidectomy for Hemorrhoidal Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled study will be conducted at the General Surgery Department, Kasr Al-Ainy Teaching Hospital, Cairo University, on patients presenting with third- and fourth-degree hemorrhoids. Adult patients older than 18 years who fulfill the inclusion criteria and provide informed consent will be included in the study. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease, anal stenosis, colorectal malignancy, or pre-existing fecal incontinence will be excluded.

Patients attending the outpatient clinic with symptoms suggestive of hemorrhoidal disease will be assessed according to the study criteria. After explaining the purpose and nature of the study, informed written consent will be obtained. All patients will undergo detailed preoperative evaluation including complete medical and surgical history, assessment of symptoms such as pain, bleeding, prolapse, discharge, and pruritus ani, in addition to local anorectal examination and digital rectal examination. Routine preoperative laboratory investigations will be performed for all patients, while colonoscopy will be requested in selected cases to exclude colorectal malignancy or other causes of lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Participants will be randomly allocated into two groups. Group A will undergo Skin-Sparing Hemorrhoidectomy and PExy (SHAPE), which involves selective excision of hemorrhoidal tissue above the dentate line with preservation of anoderm followed by mucopexy using Vicryl sutures. Group B will undergo conventional Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy with excision of hemorrhoidal tissue, pedicle ligation, and preservation of skin bridges.

Postoperatively, oral fluids will be initiated after 2 hours and regular diet resumed as tolerated. Most patients will be discharged on the first postoperative day unless otherwise indicated. Patients will be reviewed twice weekly during the first postoperative week, weekly for the first month, and monthly thereafter to assess pain using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), wound healing, postoperative complications, and surgical outcomes.