COMPARISON OF BAND LIGATION AND INJECTION SCLEROTHERAPY IN SYMPTOMATIC FIRST AND SECOND DEGREE HAEMORRHOID PATIENTS

Abstract

Haemorrhoid is a very common surgical condition of the anorectal region. Symptoms include bleeding, protrusion, discharge and discomfort. Band ligation and sclerotherapy are the most common local procedures in use today. Despite being so commonly used, few studies have compared the two procedures based on their efficacy. This case series focuses on the efficacy and complications of band ligation and sclerotherapy in symptomatic early stage haemorrhoids. Patients with first and second degree haemorrhoids were randomly assigned to band ligation(group A) or sclerotherapy (group B) and followed up regularly for post procedure complications and symptoms. No complications were seen in Group B at the end of two months while two patients(8.2%) had recurrence of bleeding per rectum in Group A at the end of two months and repeat procedure had to be done. This finding was statistically non-significant (p=0.13). Immediate post procedure pain was more in Group A (54.5%) as compared to Group B (45.5%). 63.6% patients in Group A and 72.6% patients in Group B were asymptomatic at the end of two weeks. Based on our study, it can be concluded that in symptomatic early stage haemorrhoids, band ligation provides quick relief of symptoms but has a higher rate of complications and recurrence, on the other hand sclerotherapy has a delayed response with lesser complications and recurrence. Both procedures are highly effective and easy to perform on an outpatient basis with quick patient recovery