title: Long-term results of endoscopic hemorrhoidal ligation: two different devices with similar results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of two different endoscopic hemorrhoidal ligation (EHL) devices for symptomatic internal hemorrhoid.
  
  
  METHODS
  From November 2000 to February 2001, 218 consecutive patients with symptomatic internal hemorrhoids were enrolled. A total of 109 patients were treated with an EHL device 9 mm in diameter (group A); the rest were treated with a device 13 mm in diameter (group B). The patients' clinical presentations were rectal bleeding and prolapse. The severity of the hemorrhoid was classified using Goligher's grading.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients were treated for one session, and were followed from 19 to 24 months (mean 22.4 months). The number of band ligations averaged 2.59 in group A and 1.68 in group B. Most patients had their hemorrhoids reduced by at least one grade (82.8 % in group A and 90.8 % in group B). Rectal bleeding was controlled in 108 patients (99.1 %) in group A and 109 patients (100 %) in group B, while rectal prolapse was reduced in 93 patients (85.3 %) in group A and 99 patients (90.8 %) in group B. Eleven patients in group A and 12 in group B experienced anal pain after treatment, and eight patients in group A and six in group B had mild bleeding. The patients' subjective satisfaction rates were 90.8 % in group A and 93.6 % in group B. The 1-year recurrence rates were 3.9 % in group A and 2.3 % in group B.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both EHL devices can effectively treat symptomatic internal hemorrhoids. A device with a smaller diameter requires more band ligations, but appears equivalent with regard to treatment outcome and complications.
authors.affiliation: Digestive Therapeutic Endoscopic Center, Dept. of Gastroenterology, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang-Gung University, Tao-Yüan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: M-Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: S-Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Tung
authors.forename: C-S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: I-S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Sheen
authors.forename: P-C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: C-T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Chiu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020685:Colonoscopes; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006484:Hemorrhoids / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome