Rubber band ligation for piles can be disastrous in HIV-positive patients.
We report a patient with haemorrhoids treated with rubber band ligation who developed a huge supralevator abscess. A diverting sigmoidostomy had to be established as surgical drainage via the rectum was not adequate. Eventually the patient accepted the HIV-testing which proved positive. Six months later the sigmoidostomy was still needed as the abscess cavity remained large. We conclude that rubber band ligation in HIV-positive patients should be abandoned.
Buchmann
P
P
Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.
Seefeld
U
U
D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications*; D006484:Hemorrhoids / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology*