Rubber Band Ligation for Piles

This may be advised for first and second degree haemorrhoids. It is an outpatient treatment performed with or without anaesthetic.

A short telescope is placed in the back passage and a small rubber band is placed on the lining of the back passage in each of three places above the main haemorrhoids. The bands strangle a small area of blood vessels above each haemorrhoid and will stop it bleeding and prolapsing.

Bleeding can occur after the procedure for several weeks afterwards. Six weeks is required for the rubber bands to work and any improvement in the haemorrhoids to be noticed.

Approximately 70% of patients are helped by this treatment and 30% are not. It is difficult to stop all rectal bleeding once and for all using this treatment.