Management of the fourth degree haemorrhoids by lateral internal sphincterotomy - A safe alternative to emergency haemorrhoidectomy

Fourty patients with fourth degree haemorrhoids were treated by lateral internal sphincterotomy from April 1991 to April 1996. There was immediate relief of pain in all patients. The mean hospital stay was 4 days. The median out patient follow up was up to 12 months. Thirty five patients needed no further treatment. Four patients needed formal haemorrhoidectomy. In one patient the treatment was completed by elastic band ligation. The lateral internal Sphincterotomy is a safe and simple alternative for fourth degree haemorrhoids