BACKGROUND: The risk of bleeding following rubber band ligation of internal hemorrhoids is 1%-2%. This risk may be increased in patients taking antithrombotic therapy. The goal of the current study was to find a safer approach to banding without increasing the risk of bleeding. METHODS: This retrospective review identified patients undergoing banding while on antithrombotic therapy. These medications were held for 7-10 days following the procedure. The number of bands placed while on antithrombotic therapy and their post band complications were recorded. RESULTS: There were 605 bands placed on 364 patients taking antithrombotic medications. There were 23 complications involving bleeding, a value that was not statistically different from those not taking antithrombotic therapy. Patients on clopidogrel experienced 50% of the significant bleeding episodes and 18% of the insignificant bleeding episodes. CONCLUSIONS: Holding antithrombotic medication following banding appears to equalize the risk of bleeding to that of patients not taking antithrombotic medications. Patients taking clopidogrel may be at higher risk for bleeding complications.
BACKGROUND: The risk of bleeding following rubber band ligation of internal hemorrhoids is 1%-2%. This risk may be increased in patients taking antithrombotic therapy. The goal of the current study was to find a safer approach to banding without increasing the risk of bleeding. METHODS: This retrospective review identified patients undergoing banding while on antithrombotic therapy. These medications were held for 7-10 days following the procedure. The number of bands placed while on antithrombotic therapy and their post band complications were recorded. RESULTS: There were 605 bands placed on 364 patients taking antithrombotic medications. There were 23 complications involving bleeding, a value that was not statistically different from those not taking antithrombotic therapy. Patients on clopidogrel experienced 50% of the significant bleeding episodes and 18% of the insignificant bleeding episodes. CONCLUSIONS: Holding antithrombotic medication following banding appears to equalize the risk of bleeding to that of patients not taking antithrombotic medications. Patients taking clopidogrel may be at higher risk for bleeding complications.
Authors: Paulo Salgueiro; Ana Célia Caetano; Ana Maria Oliveira; Bruno Rosa; Miguel Mascarenhas-Saraiva; Paula Ministro; Pedro Amaro; Rogério Godinho; Rosa Coelho; Rúben Gaio; Samuel Fernandes; Vítor Fernandes; Fernando Castro-Poças Journal: GE Port J Gastroenterol Date: 2019-09-05
Authors: C Michael Dunham; David A Hoffman; Gregory S Huang; Laurel A Omert; David J Gemmel; Renee Merrell Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-10-03 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: P Salgueiro; A Rei; M Garrido; B Rosa; A M Oliveira; T Pereira-Guedes; S Morais; F Castro-Poças Journal: Tech Coloproctol Date: 2022-02-25 Impact factor: 3.699
Authors: João Santos-Antunes; Armando Peixoto; Fernando Azevedo; Margarida Marques; Andreia Albuquerque; Guilherme Macedo Journal: GE Port J Gastroenterol Date: 2016-06-21