title: Rubber band ligation of haemorrhoids in the out-patient clinic.
abstract: Rubber band ligation (RBL) is an effective treatment for symptomatic haemorrhoids but carries significant morbidity. We performed a prospective study of 98 consecutive patients treated by RBL in the out-patient clinic. Immediate, intermediate (within 2 weeks) and late (within 2 months) complications were recorded. Immediate complications occurred in 66 (67.3%) patients. Pain was the predominant symptom in 50 patients (51%). Fifteen (15.3%) patients had vasovagal attacks and 1 (1%) had bleeding. Twenty-five patients (25.5%) were unable to perform normal activities on the day of RBL. One patient needed hospital admission for control of pain. Seventy four (75.5%) patients would have RBL if they needed further treatment for haemorrhoids. Symptomatic cure was achieved in 71 patients (72.4%). RBL is an effective treatment but with significant complications. Patients should be adequately warned, especially of pain and vasovagal attacks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Wrexham Maelor Hospital, UK. nkumar1402@hotmail.com
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paulvannan
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Billings
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006484:Hemorrhoids / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012408:Rubber
chemical_list: D012408:Rubber