Comparative Study of Postoperative Complications after Rubber Band Ligation (RBL) and RBL Combined with Sclerotherapy in Treatment of Second- and Third-Degree Internal Hemorrhoids

Abstract

Hemorrhoid is a very common disease in surgical departments. Internal hemorrhoids of second degree or above often require surgical treatment due to the persistent bleeding and prolapse symptoms. Rubber band ligation (RBL) is the most common procedure available for hemorrhoids because of its safety, efficacy, and effectiveness. The study evaluates comparative results of postoperative complications after RBL and RBL combined with sclerotherapy. It included 300 patients having second- or third-degree internal hemorrhoids who attended the colorectal surgical department in Beilun People’s Hospital of Ningbo, China, over a period of 1 year from July 2015 to June 2016. These 300 patients were selected randomly and divided into two groups, with 150 for RBL group and 150 for RBL combined with sclerotherapy group. All the patients were asked to return to an out-patient clinic for follow-up at 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, 2 months, and 6 months and through a telephone call every 6 months for 2 years. The data of all the patients including gender, age, postoperative pain, postoperative bleeding, the days of rubber band slippage, and postoperative recurrence were recorded. The statistical analysis of the study was done using SPSS statistical package in which we used descriptive statistics and chi-square test for the final evaluation. There was no significant difference between the two groups in postoperative pain. However, RBL combined with sclerotherapy achieves better results than RBL, less postoperative bleeding, less unexpected rubber band slippage, and less postoperative recurrence.