Operative hemorrhoidectomy versus cryodestruction.

Twenty-six patients were treated for hemorrhoids by a combination of cryodestruction and closed operative hemorrhoidectomy. Patients were able to draw their own conclusions about the efficacies of these treatments. They had no difficulty in distinguishing exactly which area was causing pain. The operative site was a source of greater pain until the second day after the procedure, when the pain resulting from cryodestruction equalled surgical pain; then cryodestruction associated pain continued longer. Cryodestruction was associated with production of a foul discharge. Residual hemorrhoids were present in 50 per cent of patients' cryodestruction sites. Given the choice at the one year follow-up examination, 65 per cent preferred surgical treatment and 35 per cent preferred cryodestruction.