II. Indications
- Grades I to III Internal Hemorrhoid
III. General
- Device Cost: $200-300
IV. Complications
- Postoperative Hemorrhage (2.8%)
- Stop Anticoagulants including Aspirin 5-7 days before procedure
- Thrombosed Hemorrhoid (1.5%)
- Vasovagal response
- Perirectal Abscess
- Rectal discharge may be a problem
- Bacteremia (0.09%)
- Perineal Sepsis risk (rare, but deaths have occurred)
- Presentation
- Rectal Pain
- Fever
- Inability to void
- Reference
V. Disadvantages
- Needs 2 people to perform
- More painful than Infrared Coagulation
VI. Advantages
- More effective than Infrared Coagulation by 4 fold
VII. Technique
- Place 2 Rubber bands on ligator over top of cone
- Lubricate cone and bands with soapy water
- Position Anoscope for good visualization of Hemorrhoid
- Confirm not below Dentate Line (External Hemorrhoid)
- Insert ligator and pull Hemorrhoid through channel
- Be careful not to pull too much
- Release bands
- Only treat 1-2 Hemorrhoids per visit
- Additional bands can be placed in 4-6 weeks
VIII. Efficacy
- Overall success rate: 71%
- Completely symptom free on long term follow-up: 40-50%
- Iyer (2004) Dis Colon Rectum 47:1364 [PubMed]