The learning curve for transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization with mucopexy. Experience of 459 cases

Aim: to evaluate learning curve for transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) with mucopexy for chronic hemorrhoids II-IV stage.

Patients and Methods: the THD was performed by one surgeon in 459 patients under local anesthesia in 2013- 2021. Patients were aged 45 (37;54) years, 355 (77.3%) — males. Stage II was diagnosed in 85 (18.5%) cases, stage II-III — in 47 (10.2%), stage III — in 296 (64.5%), stage III-IV and IV — in 27 (5.9%) and 4 (0.9%) cases. Regression and CUSUM analysis were used to construct the learning curve. The operation time, postoperative morbidity and recurrence rate were assessed.

Results: the operation time was 25 (25;32.5) minutes, it was achieved on 210 cases. The postoperative complications occurred in 7 (1.5%) cases and were significantly often in stage III-IV and IV — 3 (9.7%) cases (p = 0.001). Recurrence was showed in 29 (6.3%) cases after 1 year of follow-up. The CUSUM function graph showed that with the experience level, a 2-fold decrease in the morbidity rate and recurrence rate was achieved after 24 and 28 procedures, respectively. When experience is achieved, the morbidity rate was low regardless of the disease stage. Despite the experience obtained, in patients operated in the 3rd and 4th quartiles, the recurrences occurred in 10 (7.7%) and 9 (8.8%) patients, respectively.

Conclusion: the indicator of experience obtained is the decrease of operation time and post-op morbidity. The experience level dies not affect recurrence rate in stages III-IV due to limitations of the technique.

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