Rubber band ligation of hemorrhoids - An Office Procedure

Abstract

SUMMARY
Rubber band ligation [RBL] is one of the most popular nonsurgical
procedures available for hemorrhoids. The aim of
this study was to prospectively evaluate the effectiveness of
RBL in respect to eradication percentages, post-procedure
pain, and complications as well as the simplicity of the technique.
Eighty-seven patients with 2nd and 3rd degree internal
symptomatic hemorrhoids - denying surgical procedure
- were enrolled in this study. Four patients stopped treatment
after the 1st session; 24 patients required one banding
session [3 bands]; 49 patients two sessions [mean 5.36
bands] and 14 patients three sessions [mean 6.78 bands].
Forty-two patients [rate 52.5%] experienced no pain at all;
25 patients [31.2%] slight pain and 13 [16.2%] moderate
pain, needing analgesics. There were three complications,
all managed conservatively: one bleeding, one thrombosis
and one patient experienced severe rectal pain. After termination
of the treatment, and for a one-year follow up,
hemorrhoids remained reduced by at least one grade, in
comparison with that of the initial assessment.
We conclude that rubber band ligation is a safe and effective
procedure, easy to perform, thus it is advised as an
office-procedure for hemorrhoid treatment.