title: Experience with rubber band ligation of hemorrhoids in northern Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Treatment of hemorrhoids in Nigeria is usually done by the traditional open method that requires hospital admission; anesthesia and is associated with high morbidity. Rubber band ligation is a suitable alternative to open hemorrhoidectomy and has the potential to reduce the need for hospital admission.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective analysis of consecutive patients presenting with hemorrhoids that were suitable for surgical treatment to the Jos University Teaching Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre Gombe from January 2008 to December 2010 (24 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 232 rubber band ligations were performed on 40 patients whose ages ranged from 20 to 54 years with a mean age of 37.1 ± 12.2 years. There were 24 males and 16 females (M:F::2:3). Thirty-nine patients (97.5%) were cured of their symptoms following the procedure, and 1 patient (2.5%) had severe pain as complication of the treatment. Another patient had recurrence that was treated by repeat rubber band ligation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that rubber band ligation is a safe and reliable way for outpatient treatment of hemorrhoids in Nigeria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau, Nigeria.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Misauno
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Usman
authors.forename: U U
authors.initials: UU
authors.lastname: Nnadozie
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Obiano
keywords: Hemorrhoids; Nigeria; outpatient; rubber band ligation; treatment