ABSTRACT
Background: Rectal varices and hemorrhoids are a gastrointestinal complication of portal hypertension. There is a large discrepancy in previous studies regarding prevalence of rectal varices and hemorrhoids and their correlation with other factors
Aim of the work: goal of our study was evaluation of the effect of band ligation of oesophageal varices [OVs] on the evolution and/or progression of rectal varices and haemorrhoids
Patients and Methods: This study conducted on 50 post-HCV cirrhotic patients screened for esophageal varices. They were divided into two main groups; Group I: It included 25 post-HCV cirrhotic patients, screened for OVs, band ligation was indicated in them, and they were banded for OVs. Group II: It included 25 post-HCV cirrhotic patients, screened for OVs, and band ligation was not indicated in them. All of them were submitted to oesophagogastrodudenoscopy [OGD] for assessment of OVs and short colonoscopy for assessment of rectal varices and haemorrhoids at the baseline and after 6 months
Results: Obliteration of esophageal varices by endoscopic variceal band ligation did not affect the incidence of hemorrhoids [38% before and after] and anorectal varices [12% before and after]
Conclusion: It is concluded that esophageal variceal band ligation does not affect the incidence of hemorrhoids, or anorectal va1rices inpatients with liver cirrhosis