RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the long-term results of procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids(PPH) and Milligan-Morgan(MM) hemorrhoidectomy in the treatment of third- and fourth-degree hemorrhoids.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-one patients in PPH group and 120 patients in MM group, treated in our hospital from May 2001 to May 2005, were followed up. All the patients suffered with third- or fourth-degree hemorrhoids. The data including symptoms relief, complication and recurrence were compared between two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PPH and MM both significantly relieved bleeding (95.6% vs 92.7%), pain (93.1% vs 94.3%) and prolapse (93.4% vs 93.1%). There were no significant differences between two groups(P >0.05). PPH significantly relieved constipation compared with MM(60.0% vs 32.1%, P <0.05). No significant differences of complete relief rates between PPH group and MM group according to different degrees, types and prolapses of hemorrhoids were found(P >0.05). There were no significant differences in the overall complication rate(14.3% vs 12.7%), recurrence rates(12.1% vs 8.8%) and satisfactory degree (85.1 vs 88.2) between two groups as well.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The long-term outcomes of PPH in the treatment of third and fourth-degree hemorrhoids are similar to Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy.</p>