Short Term Outcome of Rubber Band Ligation versus Open Hemorrhoidectomy in Terms of Postoperative Complications

Objectives: To compare the outcome of Rubber band ligation with open hemorrhoidectomy in short term and its suitability in our social set up. Material and Methods: One hundred and twenty patients were enrolled from November 2007 to May 2009. They were equally divided into group A (open hemorrhoidectomy) and group B (Rubber band ligation). Postoperative complications, recurrence and patient’s satisfaction rate were recorded. Results: Pain was the most common complaint. About 91.7% of patients in Group A while 15% in Group B complained of pain which was significant (p-value = 0.001). Immediate post-operative bleeding was 18.3% in group A and 6.7% in group B. Transient flatus incontinence (5%) was recorded in group A, no incontinence in group B. Anal stenosis was 0.3% in group A while no anal stenosis was recorded in B. recurrence rate was significantly higher in group B (13.3% p-value = 0.048). Rate of satisfaction was higher in group A (93.3% versus 86.7%), but statistically it was not significant. Conclusion: Rubber band ligation is safe, effective method to treat the 2nd and 3rd degree hemorrhoids with less satisfaction than open hemorrhoidectomy which is statistically insignificant.