Three hundred patients with hemorrhoidal disease were randomly allocated to either a semi-open hemorrhoidectomy (group A) or to an open procedure (group B). The aims of the trial were to investigate the healing time in both groups, to analyse and compare the incidence of post-operative complications and the use of analgesics. A secondary aim was to investigate the period of time required to reestablish the normal bowel habit. All patients had a follow-up of at least three months. The wound was observed daily in the first week and then, twice a week, till complete healing occurred. The dosage, route and amount of analgesic demanded by each patient was noted. Any observed complication and its consequent treatment were written down. As to healing time there was a statistically significant difference between both groups: whereas for group A the average healing time was 12.38 days, for group B it was 25.22 days. The incidence of post-operative complication such as granuloma and pruritus was higher in group B; urinary disturbances were similar in both groups. The patients of group A demanded a small amount of analgesics, statistically significant (p = 0.01), in the early as well as in the late post-operative period. The normal bowel habit was re-established earlier in group A and this was also statistically significant.