RESUMEN
Rubber band ligation for hemorrhoids was used for treating 1500 consecutive patients affected by 2nd and 3rd degree hemorrhoids over a period of 3 years (1999-2001). The patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1,710 patients treated by the method of "multiple ligations"(2 or 3) in a single session and Group II, 790 patients treated by the method of "single Ligation" at one time over the same period. Post procedural results were satisfactory in 82% patients in Group I and 90% patients in Group II. Complication observed in Group II were significantly lower than Group 1. Thus, we conclude that rubber band ligation is a better modality of treatment for internal hemorrhoids if it is made with one ligation at a time, repeating the procedure every 3 weeks.