Colonoscopic Rubber Band Ligation Effective in Treating Hemorrhoids, suggests study

Lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a notable health concern in Nepal, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality rates. A recent study was conducted at a leading tertiary care center highlighted the success of Colonoscopic Rubber Band Ligation (CRBL) as a safe, effective, and well-accepted treatment for hemorrhoid-induced lower GI bleeding. The findings of this study were published in the recent issue of Journal of Nepal Health Research Council.

The study spanned for a year and involved 28 out of the total 108 patients presenting with lower GI bleeding in the surgical outpatient department. This research by Pawan Sapkota Upadhya and team wanted to assess the safety, efficacy, and patient satisfaction with CRBL for treating first to third-degree internal hemorrhoids, which are a common cause of lower GI bleeding in outpatient settings.

The outcomes found CRBL to offer improved visualization and maneuverability when compared to traditional methods, leading to improved safety and treatment outcomes. The study revealed promising results, with symptoms such as irritation, discharge, and pain resolving completely in all patients within 3 months of the procedure. Also, bleeding symptoms subsided in 96.4% of cases, while hemorrhoid prolapse improved in 92% of patients.

One of the key findings of this study was the quick recovery rate, where almost 75% of patients were able to resume work the very next day. Despite the effectiveness, post-procedure complications were observed in 53.5% of cases, primarily involving mild discomfort, which resolved without significant interventions. When surveyed, a total of 78.6% of the patients rated the treatment as “excellent help.” This high satisfaction rate underlined the potential of CRBL as a preferred treatment option for symptomatic grade II hemorrhoids.

This research found CRBL to be a feasible, safe, and effective treatment option with high patient acceptance. The study recommends further multicenter studies with longer follow-ups to better understand the long-term outcomes of this procedure. Overall, this research illuminate the evolving landscape of hemorrhoid treatments in Nepal and highlights the importance of adopting advanced and minimally invasive procedures to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Source:

Sapkota Upadhya, P., Luitel, P., Paudel, S., Neupane, N., Adhikary, S., Awale, L., & Pandit, N. (2024). Efficacy and safety of colonoscopic band ligation for lower gastrointestinal bleeding due to hemorrhoid. Journal of Nepal Health Research Council, 22(03), 557–561. https://doi.org/10.33314/jnhrc.v22i03.5135