Ambulatory management of Hemorrhoids by Rubber Band Ligation

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of rubber band ligation for the management of internal haemorrhoids. Study design: A prospective randomized study. Place and duration of study: Department of Surgery Lahore General Hospital conducted from April 1999 to June 2002. Subject/Methods: One hundred and eighty patients with II & III degree Hemorrhoids were treated with rubber band application. Results: About 562 band applications in 255 sessions were made. Follow up ranged from 3 to 50 months with a median follow up of 19 months. The common post procedural complaints were anal discomfort (78 patients), proctalgia (24 patients) and soiling (12 patients). The overall success rate of RBL was 91.7%. Conclusion: Ambulatory RBL should be considered as a safe and effective treatment for 2nd and 3rd degree symptomatic haemorrhoids and is associated with low morbidity.