Experts has been revealed the best way to treat haemorrhoids. A common condition which can cause swelling around the bottom.
A study has analysed two procedures, by conducting a five year trial with 777 patients from 32 UK hospitals.
Experts have compared the two most common surgical treatments for haemorrhoidal disease - stapled haemorrhoidopexy or traditional excisional surgery.
They found the best way to treat the condition was physically cutting out the haemorrhoids, which is the traditional method.
Professor Angus Watson, consultant colorectal surgeon for NHS Highland and Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen, ran the study.
He said: "There has been doubt as to which surgical procedure is better at controlling symptoms and we are uncertain as to how these operations affect a patient's quality of life after surgery.
"There are several treatments available for haemorrhoids.
"These treatments start with simple measures, which can be done in the community, such as avoiding straining when on the toilet and increasing the amount of fruit and fibre in the diet.
"Creams and suppositories are also available to help symptom relief.
"When symptoms do not settle with these measures, patients are often referred up to the hospital for treatment.
"Approximately 25,000 surgical operations are done each year in England and Wales to help control these symptoms."
Haemorrhoids are swelling in the blood vessels at the top of the anal canal.
They are very common and cause symptoms such as bleeding, pain, swelling and itching.
Surgical operations for piles include two commonly performed procedures, both of which are performed under general anaesthetic.
A stapled haemorrhoidopexy involves using a specialist disposable surgical stapler that removes a ring of tissue above the haemorrhoids to reduce the swelling and the blood supply to the piles.
The second one is a traditional excisional surgery which physically cuts out the haemorrhoids.
The trial found that over twenty four months, the quality of life experienced by patients after surgery was better after the traditional haemorrhoidectomy.
Experts said the cost of this treatment was cheaper by £337 and patients who had received the traditional treatment had fewer pile symptoms over two years.
Patients who had the stapled haemorrhoidectomy were almost twice as likely to report the presence of pile symptoms compared with patients who had undergone the traditional treatment.
Continence scores were also better in the traditional method.
Professor Watson said: "If the results of the trial are adopted across the UK and further afield, patients will have better results after traditional surgery and its use may potentially save the NHS millions of pound every year."
The trial was funded by the National Institute for Health Research through its Health Technology Assessment programme.
The study was published in The Lancet.
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