Rubber Band Ligation for Hemorrhoids: an Office Experience

The objective of this study was to analyze the effectiveness, safety, quality of life, and the results of the treatment for second- and third-degree hemorrhoids using rubber band ligation (RBL). This is a retrospective study for 890 patients who came to outpatient clinic from August 2007 to March 2013; all underwent rubber band ligation using the Barron applicator on an outpatient basis for second- and third-degree internal symptomatic hemorrhoids. Data were collected from the patients' files. The patients were asked to return to outpatient clinic for follow-up at 2 weeks and 1 and 6 months and by telephone call every 6 months for 2 years. Six hundred seventy-seven patients (76 %) were cured (P = 0.31). Symptomatic recurrence was detected in 178 cases (20 %) after 2 years. Thirty-five patients (4 %) had some complications from RBL, which required no hospitalization. The complications were pain, rectal bleeding, and vasovagal symptoms (2.6, 1, and 0.4 % of patients, respectively). Seven hundred fifty-six (85 %) of the patients are males; the mean age was 45 years (range, 16-86 years). RBL is a simple, safe, and effective method for treating symptomatic second- and third-degree hemorrhoids as an outpatient procedure with significant improvement in quality of life.