Comparitive Study of Multiple Versus Single Rubber Band Ligation for Internal Hemorrhoids

ABSTRACT

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.