Comparison of the Efficacy of Rubber Band Ligation and Injection Sclerotherapy for 2nd Degree Hemorrhoids

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ABSTRACT Background: There are different treatment options for hemorrhoids including rubber band ligation (RBL), sclerotherapy, and hemorrhoidectomy. Variable success rates have been reported for these procedures. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of RBL and injection sclerotherapy for 2nd degree hemorrhoids in a large group of samples from an unexplored population. Methodology: It was a randomized controlled trial. The study was conducted at the Department of Surgery, Khafji General Hospital, Khafji, Saudi Arabia, over the period of 14 months, from August 2014 to September 2015. Patients diagnosed with 2nd degree hemorrhoids were enrolled in the study and detailed medical history was taken. The patients were assigned to one of the two predesigned groups. One group was subjected to RBL for 2nd degree hemorrhoids and the other group was treated with injection sclerotherapy. The effectiveness of procedures was recorded on a postprocedure follow-up visit three months later. Results: A total of 720 patients were included in this study, 360 each in band ligation and sclerotherapy groups. Overall, relief of symptoms was observed in 504 (70%) patients. In band ligation group, 272 (75.56%) patients reported relief of symptoms and 232 (64.44%) patients reported relief of symptoms in the sclerotherapy group (P = 0.001). Conclusion: This study showed that band ligation treatment options lead to a significant relief of symptoms and bleeding per rectum in patients with 2nd degree hemorrhoids.