Rubber Band Ligation & Hemorrhoids
Rubber Band Ligation
What is Rubber Band Ligation?
Rubber band ligation is a procedure in which the hemorrhoid is tied off at its base with rubber bands, cutting off the blood flow to the hemorrhoid. This treatment is only for internal hemorrhoids.
How is Rubber Band Ligation done?
To do this procedure, a doctor inserts a viewing instrument (anoscope) into the anus. The hemorrhoid is grasped with an instrument that resembles forceps, and a device places a rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid.
The hemorrhoid then shrinks and dies, and in about a week, falls off. A scar will form in the place of the hemorrhoid, holding nearby veins so they don’t bulge into the anal canal.
Post Procedure
After the procedure, you may feel pain and have a sensation of fullness in the lower abdomen, or you may feel as if you need to have a bowel movement.
Treatment is limited to 1 to 2 hemorrhoids at a time if done in the doctor’s office. Several hemorrhoids may be treated at one time if the person is under anesthesia. Additional areas may be treated in 4-to-6-week intervals.
Hemorrhoids
It is important that symptoms be evaluated by a colon-rectal surgeon before you try self-treatment. A colon-rectal surgeon will perform a thorough examination and recommend treatment. The physicians at Connecticut Colon & Rectal Surgery, LLC develops an individualized treatment plan based on where your hemorrhoids are and the kind of symptoms you are experiencing. If your symptoms are mild, a nonsurgical approach may be advised. However, if your symptoms are severe, surgical intervention may be recommended.
Non-Surgical Treatment
With nonsurgical treatment, pain and swelling usually decrease in two to seven days. The firm lump should recede within four to six weeks. Treatment includes:
- Eating a high-fiber diet
- Taking over-the-counter fiber supplements to make stools soft, formed, and bulky
- Avoiding excessive straining to reduce pressure on hemorrhoids and prevent protrusion
- Shortening time spent on the toilet to 1-2 minutes to help prevent protrusion
- Drinking more water to help prevent hard stool and aid in healing
Surgical Treatment
If your hemorrhoid symptoms are severe, surgical treatment may be advised. If you are suffering from an external thrombosed hemorrhoid, your physician may decide to remove (excise) the hemorrhoid and/or clot with a small incision. This procedure can typically be done at the physician’s office, but in some circumstances, it may have to be performed outpatient at an ambulatory surgical center or hospital.
Hemorrhoidectomy
This is the most complete surgical method for removing extra tissue that causes bleeding and protrusion. It is done for both external and internal hemorrhoids under anesthesia using sutures or a special surgical device. Hemorrhoidectomy is considered when:
- Repeated external thrombosed hemorrhoids form
- Ligation is not effective in treating internal hemorrhoids
- The protruding hemorrhoid cannot be reduced
- There is chronic bleeding
If you believe you are suffering from hemorrhoids and want to relieve your discomfort, give our office a call at 860-854-3505 to schedule an appointment or request an appointment online. If appropriate and availability allows, a consultation appointment will be scheduled for you to be seen by one of our experienced physicians, generally within a two-week timeframe of contacting the office. Procedures are generally scheduled shortly thereafter.
