Abstract
One hundred and thirty seven previously untreated out-patients with first and second degree haemorrhoids were allocated at random to treatment by infrared coagulation (n=66) or rubber band ligation (n=71). Complete follow up was obtained in 122 patients (60 who had undergone infrared coagulation (group 1), and 62 rubber band ligation (group 2)) at periods from three months to one year after completion of treatment. Infrared coagulation produced a satisfactory outcome in 51 patients (85%): 34 were rendered asymptomatic and 17 improved. Rubber band ligation produced a satisfactory outcome in 57 patients (92%): 33 were rendered asymptomatic and 24 improved. Both methods were equally effective in first and second degree haemorrhoids. The incidence of side effects, particularly discomfort, during and after treatment was significantly higher in those treated by rubber band ligation (p less than 0.001). This appeared to be an appreciable deterrent to future patient compliance. The number of patients losing more than 24 hours from work was higher after rubber band ligation than after infrared coagulation. The number of treatments necessary to cure symptoms did not differ significantly between the two methods. Infrared coagulation was significantly faster than rubber band ligation (p less than 0.001). Infrared coagulation is a simple, fast, and effective outpatient method for the treatment of first and second degree haemorrhoids with fewer troublesome side effects and higher patient acceptability than rubber band ligation.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Alexander-Williams J. The management of piles. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1982 Oct 23;285(6349):1137–1139. doi: 10.1136/bmj.285.6349.1137. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Arabi Y., Gatehouse D., Alexander-Williams J., Keighley M. R. Rubber band ligation or lateral subcutaneous sphincterotomy for treatment of haemorrhoids. Br J Surg. 1977 Oct;64(10):737–740. doi: 10.1002/bjs.1800641014. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Groves A. R., Evans J. C., Williams J. A. Management of internal haemorrhoids by rubber-band ligation. Br J Surg. 1971 Dec;58(12):923–924. doi: 10.1002/bjs.1800581215. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Hood T. R., Williams J. A. Anal dilatation versus rubber band ligation for internal hemorrhoids. Method of treatment in outpatients. Am J Surg. 1971 Oct;122(4):545–548. doi: 10.1016/0002-9610(71)90485-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Keighley M. R., Buchmann P., Minervini S., Arabi Y., Alexander-Williams J. Prospective trials of minor surgical procedures and high-fibre diet for haemorrhoids. Br Med J. 1979 Oct 20;2(6196):967–969. doi: 10.1136/bmj.2.6196.967. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Leicester R. J., Nicholls R. J., Mann C. V. Infrared coagulation: a new treatment for hemorrhoids. Dis Colon Rectum. 1981 Nov-Dec;24(8):602–605. doi: 10.1007/BF02605755. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Murie J. A., Mackenzie I., Sim A. J. Comparison of rubber band ligation and haemorrhoidectomy for second- and third-degree haemorrhoids: a prospective clinical trial. Br J Surg. 1980 Nov;67(11):786–788. doi: 10.1002/bjs.1800671108. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Murie J. A., Sim A. J., Mackenzie I. Rubber band ligation versus haemorrhoidectomy for prolapsing haemorrhoids: a long term prospective clinical trial. Br J Surg. 1982 Sep;69(9):536–538. doi: 10.1002/bjs.1800690913. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Sim A. J., Murie J. A., Mackenzie I. Comparison of rubber band ligation and sclerosant injection for first and second degree haemorrhoids-- a prospective clinical trial. Acta Chir Scand. 1981;147(8):717–720. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Steinberg D. M., Liegois H., Alexander-Williams J. Long term review of the results of rubber band ligation of haemorrhoids. Br J Surg. 1975 Feb;62(2):144–146. doi: 10.1002/bjs.1800620216. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]