An alternative to hemorrhoidectomy.

This report presents a retrospective review of 670 patients who underwent 3,208 rubber band ligations for internal hemorrhoids. Complications after banding were limited to pain and bleeding. Mild to moderate discomfort occurred in 32 patients (4.8%), while pain severe enough to limit activity occurred in only four patients (0.6%). Slight bleeding was noted in 19 patients (3%), and was severe in nine (1%). Of the latter, only two required hospitalization and cautery, while the remainder subsided on bedrest at home. Banding is discussed in comparison to sclero-therapy, anal dilation and cryohemorrhoidectomy, as well as operative hemorrhoidectomy, and is found to offer not only safety, but major advantages with regard to comfort, convenience, and cost.