Rubber band ligation is the oldest known form of procedure for treatment of hemorrhoids. Hippocrates, the father of Medicine, write something about treating hemorrhoids by tying a string around the swollen area to naturally cure the painful problem. Seven out of 10 treatments using rubber band ligation are successful. Not all types of this disease may qualify for this treatment, as the hemorrhoids should be at the second degree pointer. Rubber band ligation, also known as hemorrhoidal banding, is usually performed in a physician’s clinic and if the procedure goes as planned, the recuperation time will not be over one week.
The Process of Rubber Band Ligation for Hemorrhoid Treatment
The patient will be directed to lie on his side and bring the knees up to the chest, to expose the anus. The physician will expand the anal area using a proctoscope to provide more room for the succeeding procedure. The next step of rubber ligation treatment involves the physician using a pair of forces to line up the veins using a tool referred to as the Barron ligator that places a small rubber band around the hemorrhoid.
This treatment is done with the expected result of the rubber band cutting of the blood flow to the hemorrhoid that will eventually fall off naturally.
More often than not, the falling of hemorrhoids occurs during defecation, but there is also the tendency to happen outside bowel movement. Rubber bands are used instead of threads. The latter is often composed of organic substances, and hence may cause bacterial infection. This is quite risky because hemorrhoid treatment deals with open wounds. On the other hand, rubber is not exposed for bacterial infection, as long as it has been sterilized by the doctor before the procedure.
Another positive point of undergoing this treatment is its promptness. It will only take several minutes to complete the whole process. Before the ligation, the patient may be advised to take antibiotics for at least one week.
What to Expect after Rubber Band Ligation
After the procedure is over, the patient can go home, and will be advised not to take any form of Aspirin for at least two weeks, because Aspirin may cause muscles in your anal area to contract or swell. These are the last things that a patient want after the surgery.
Complications of rubber band ligation includes swollen hemorrhoids, anal fissure, band slippage or breakage, pain and bleeding, and pelvic sepsis. Patients may also experience all or some of these complications. Minimal to mild bleeding can also be experience during the early days of post-treatment, particularly during and after bowel movements. If bleedings become severe, it is important to seek medical attention and call the physician who performed the treatment.
Things to Do to Improve the Condition or to Hasten Recovery
There are several things that you can do to ease the pain after the treatment and to hasten recuperation time. First, you can take acetaminophen to ease the discomfort. Second, avoid lifting heavy objects or do stressful tasks for at least a week. Third, take laxatives or stool softeners to avoid discomfort during bowel movement. Fourth, do sitz baths, or sitting in warm water at least once a day. This will relax the muscles and helps in easy release of stool.
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