Rubber band ligation of hemorrhoids: relapse as a function of time

Abstract

Rubber band ligation is a well established treatment of internal second-degree hemorrhoids. Up to now, the long-term results (> 5 years) of this method have not been assessed. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term success rate of rubber band ligation in patients with a first episode of second-degree hemorrhoids not responding to medical treatment (local cream with laxative). A total of 92 patients who were treated between 1979 and 1997 for second-degree hemorrhoids responded to a questionnaire. The need for complementary conservative (sclerotherapy, cryotherapy or rubber band ligation) or surgical treatment was considered indicative of relapse. The collected data were analyzed according to the Kaplan-Meier method. The average follow-up time was 5.6 years. There were 21 patients who suffered a relapse. The probability of successful treatment was 0.77 (range: 0.67-0.88) after 5 years and 0.68 (range: 0.5-0.86) after 10.6 years. We conclude that rubber band ligation represent an efficient long-term treatment for second-degree hemorrhoids. Approximately two thirds of the patients are cured after 5 years and more than a half after 10 years.

Long-Term Outcome of Rubber Band Ligation for Symptomatic Primary and Recurrent Internal Hemorrhoids

“…We chose to analyze this phenomenon using a KaplanMeier survival curve (Fig. 2) with similar results to those of Savioz et al 15 This relationship between follow-up time and recurrence also is shown by Konings et al 13 Wrobleski et al 16 in a minimum follow-up of 36 (mean, 60) months reported 80 percent improvement with 69 percent totally symptom-free and a subsequent hemorrhoidectomy rate of 7.5 percent. Lau et al 17 reported a subsequent hemorrhoidectomy rate of 3 percent.…”

“…[6][7][8][9][10] There have been a few studies analyzing the longterm effectiveness of RBL as an initial treatment for symptomatic internal hemorrhoids. [12][13][14][15][16] We examined the long-term outcomes in this retrospective analysis of 2,114 rubber band ligations in 805 patients. As part of our analysis, we explored whether the number of bands placed and hemorrhoidal grade might predict a successful outcome.…”

Transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialisation: nonexcisional surgery for the treatment of haemorrhoidal disease

“…The first one, in particular, became popular for its goods results and low complication rates in seconddegree symptomatic piles [7]. The main disadvantages of these outpatient procedures are the requirement for several treatment sessions and the high recurrence rates [8,9].…”

Can the procedure for prolapsing hemorrhoids (PPH) be done twice? Results of a porcine model

“…However, a review of the literature on excisional hemorrhoidectomy and other traditional methods revealed that, although early recurrence is typically rare, there is a significant rate of late recurrence, which increases with the length of follow-up [2,12,16,19]. Arbman et al [2] reported a 10% recurrence of prolapsing hemorrhoids 1 year after excisional hemorrhoidectomy, and Konsten and Baeten [12] found a 26% recurrence at 17 years after surgery.…”