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Abstract

Objectives: To find out the post-operative complications of rubber band ligation in 2nd and 3rd degree of hemorrhoids. Design: A descriptive study. Place and Duration of study: An eighteen month study with 2 months follow up (from January 2002 to June 2003), conducted in the department of surgery, Allied Hospital Faisalabad. Patients and Methods: 50 patients were selected (from OPD) in this study. We included all patients with uncomplicated, primary 2nd and 3rd degree hemorrhoids, above 12 years of age and having no co morbid disorders like diabetes, hypertension and bleeding disorders. With patient in the knee elbow or left lateral position (depending upon the choice of patient) digital rectal examination (ORE)was carried out after lubricating the finger with xylocaine jelly. Proctoscopy was done with lubricated proctoscope and exact sites of hemorrhoids localized. The hemorrhoids were ligated one by one. We did triple ligation on a single session. Results: Out of 50 patients, 21(42%) patients were suffering from 2nd degree hemorrhoids, while 29(58%) patients were having 3rd degree. 42(84%) patients were fully cured, 3(6%) developed mild pain, 1(2%) developed severe pain and 2(6%) suffered from mild bleeding while 2(6%) patients developed moderate bleeding. Conclusion: Rubber band ligation is an effective method for treating 2nd or 3rd degree hemorrhoids with no significant post-operative complications.