Hemorrhoidal macro rubber band ligations. Ideal treatment of hemorrhoidal prolapse. Follow-up at 5 years

Introduction: Alternative therapies for internal hemorrhoid plexus are several procedures with specific indications for each grade of hemorrhoid. Due to some major advantages, rubber band ligation has become probably in the most popular between colorectal surgeons. The high-macro rubber band ligation appears to be as the first choice but literature is few. Objective: To analyze results, morbidity and recurrence of internal hemorrhoid disease treated with high-macro rubber band ligation. Design: Observational non-randomized prospective analysis. Patients: 188 patients (110 male). Period: 2011-2014. Setting: Private Institution. Methods: Patients with symptomatic internal hemorrhoid disease (grade II-III-IV). Results, Immediate and late complications and 5 years recurrence were registered. Technique used was the original description by Reis Neto. Patients with immunosuppression, additional perianal disease, previous treatment and anticoagulation were excluded. Results: There was only one session in 178 cases. Two banding were placed in 122 and 3 in 66. Symptoms were prolapse in 96, bleeding in 44 and both in 48. 139 patients were treated as only procedure. Tenesmus and light hemorrhage occurred in most cases. Moderate or late pain was registered in 7 cases, and immediate moderate bleeding in 5%. There was no severe immediate bleeding. Immediate morbidity was 2 thrombosis and 3 anal congestion. There was one moderate late bleeding at day 28 and required admission. Recurrence occurred in six cases, 5 were ligated again and 1 was treated by conventional surgery. There was none severed or unique complication or infection associated. Discussion and conclusion: Macrorubber band presented low morbidity and there are no severe complications at 5 years follow-up. Recurrence of prolapse is low and could be treated by a new session with equal morbidity. Results are equivalent and reproducible by different authors. This procedure might be the ideal treatment for hemorrhoid prolapse. (AU)