Endoscopic Rubber Band Ligation of Internal Hemorrhoids in a Community GI Practice: A Patient Validated Survey of Clinical Efficacy

Abstract

Purpose: Endoscopic treatment of internal hemorrhoids is directed at relieving symptoms of rectal bleeding. In this study its efficacy in a community GI practice was judged by a survey of patients' symptoms after treatment. Methods: 137 patients who underwent endoscopic rubber band ligation of bleeding internal hemorrhoids at United Hospital System between 2/1/05 to 2/1/10 were sent a symptom survey in March of 2010. The patients were asked the following questions. 1) Satisfaction with the treatment on a scale of 0 to 10. 2) Current presence of rectal bleeding and its magnitude if still present. 3) Endorsement of this treatment for someone with rectal bleeding from internal hemorrhoids. Results: 53 patients filled out and returned the survey. There were 30 males and 23 females. The mean age was 60 years. The mean time from the last treatment to the survey was 33.4 months. The mean no. of rubber band ligation sessions per patient was 1.3 with 42 patients undergoing only one session. The number of patients with none or minimal bleeding was 43. The number of patients endorsing this treatment was 43. The mean satisfaction score for all patients was 7.4. This jumped to 8.8 in patients with none or minimal bleeding. Conclusion: Endoscopic Rubber Band Ligation of bleeding internal hemorrhoids was highly effective in a majority of patients after one session only with a high satisfaction score.