Rubber Band Ligation (RBL) vs Standard Hemorrhoidectomy (SH) for Treatment of Haemorrhoids

Abstract

Objective: To compare rubber band ligation (RBL) vs standard hemorrhoidectomy for the treatment of haemorrhoids.
 Study Design: Quasi-experimental study.
 Place and Duration of Study: Department of General Surgery, Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from Feb 2020 to Jan 2021.
 Methodology: A total of 200 patients with 2nd and 3rd-degree haemorrhoids who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. Group-A patients underwent rubber band ligation, while in Group-B, Milligan Morgan hemorrhoid-dectomy was done.
 Results: There were 200 patients (100 in each Group). There were 135 males (67.5%) and 65 females (32.5%). The female to male ratio was 1:2.01. Mean age was 44.73 ± 8.36 years in Group-A and 43.48 ± 8.98 years in Group-B. Mean duration of complaints was 8.72 ± 4.32 months in Group-A and 10.89 ± 3.80 in Group-B. Post-procedure patients were called for follow up in a third and eighth week. The most common complication seen in Group-A was recurrence which was 18% (p-value 0.001), and pain in Group-B, 82% (p-value 0.001), which was statistically significant.
 Conclusion: We concluded that Rubber band ligation is a quick, safe and cost-effective procedure for the outpatient department for Grade II and III haemorrhoids. The recurrence rate is high compared to standard hemorrhoid-dectomy, but its advantages make it a first-line procedure for Grade II and III haemorrhoids in the outpatient departments.