Impact of Ambulatory Surgery for Hemorrhoidal Disease on Clinical Outcomes and Institutional Costs

Objective: Transanal hemorrhoidal artery ligation with mucopexy (ligation anopexy [LA]) and open hemorrhoidectomy (OH) can both be performed under local anesthesia. The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact and the cost-effectiveness of performing these techniques in an ambulatory setting of an Italian academic center on the postoperative outcome. Methods: A series of 122 consecutive patients with grades II and III hemorrhoidal disease undergoing ambulatory surgical treatment of hemorrhoids in 2015 to 2018 (group A) was compared with 122 patients operated at the same institution in the same period (group H) in a hospital setting. The primary outcome was the number of days required to return to work/daily activities. Secondary outcomes included postoperative pain and complications, cost-effectiveness, patient satisfaction, and recurrence at 12 months. In group A, all the procedures were performed under local anesthesia with early discharge. In group H, the procedures were performed under general or loco-regional anesthesia with hospital admission. Results: The mean number of days required to return to work/daily activities was 8.4 ± 4.8 days in group A, compared with 12.5 ± 3 days in group H (p < 0.001). The visual analog scale (VAS) pain score at 1 week, 2 and 3 weeks, and 1 month after surgery was lower for patients undergoing LA in the ambulatory setting (p < 0.01). We observed more postoperative complications in hospitalized (12.5%) than in ambulatory patients (7.5%) (p < 0.001). The total mean direct costs per patient were significantly lower in the ambulatory setting versus the hospital stay group (351.3 versus 1,746 euros). Conclusion: Implementing ambulatory surgery for hemorrhoids is feasible, safe, and cost-effective.