Hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids often may be relieved by relatively simple medical management. When this fails, a number of office procedures are available, including rubber band ligation, which is most widely used. Surgical therapy is still useful and preferred for patients with large third-degree or fourth-degree hemorrhoids; cryotherapy is no longer a popular alternative with either patients or physicians. More experience is needed with infrared photocoagulation. Studies of laser hemorrhoidectomy have not been sufficient to assess its role in the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease.