Rubber band ligation versus endoscopic injection sclerotherapy for symptomatic second-degree haemorrhoids: a prospective randomised trial

Abstract BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Symptomatic internal haemorrhoids are a very common finding used to be treated with conservative technique. Among these approaches, rubber band ligation (RBL) and endoscopic injective sclerosis (EIS) can be considered the best conservative outpatient treatments. The aim of this study was to compare RBL to EIS regarding effectiveness and complications in the treatment of symptomatic internal haemorrhoids. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-two adult patients with symptomatic internal haemorrhoids were randomised into two equal groups; the first treated with RBL and the second with EIS. All groups were comparable for age, sex, pre-operative symptoms and working activities. Pre and post-procedure data were recorded and analysed. RESULTS: Bleeding was observed in 11 % (4/36) of RBL group and 8 % (3/36) of EIS group. Significative pain was in 11 % (4/36) of RBL group and 14% (5/36) of EIS group. Recurrence rate was 14 % (5/36) in the RBL group and 17% (6/36) in the EIS group. Moreover, there was one case of prostatitis in EIS group. CONCLUSIONS: Both RBL and EIS were effective in the treatment of symptomatic internal haemorrhoids. There were no statistically significative differences between studied groups regarding effectiveness, recurrence disease, bleeding and pain.