Brief Article
Copyright ©2011 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. May 21, 2011; 17(19): 2431-2436
Published online May 21, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i19.2431
Long-term outcome and efficacy of endoscopic hemorrhoid ligation for symptomatic internal hemorrhoids
Ming-Yao Su, Cheng-Tang Chiu, Wei-Pin Lin, Chen-Ming Hsu, Pang-Chi Chen
Ming-Yao Su, Cheng-Tang Chiu, Wei-Pin Lin, Chen-Ming Hsu, Pang-Chi Chen, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Lin-Kou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan, China
Author contributions: Su MY designed and supervised the study, and drafted the manuscript; Chiu CT, Lin WP, Hsu CM and Chen PC provided material support; Hsu CM performed statistical analysis.
Correspondence to: Ming-Yao Su, MD, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Lin-Kou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan, China. doctorsu@adm.cgmh.org.tw
Telephone: +886-3-3281200 Fax: +886-3-3272236
Received: January 4, 2011
Revised: March 1, 2011
Accepted: March 8, 2011
Published online: May 21, 2011
Abstract

AIM: To assess the long-term outcome of endoscopic hemorrhoid ligation (EHL) for the treatment of symptomatic internal hemorrhoids.

METHODS: A total of 759 consecutive patients (415 males and 344 females) were enrolled. Clinical presentations were rectal bleeding (593 patients) and mucosal prolapse (166 patients). All patients received EHL at outpatient clinics. Hemorrhoid severity was classified by Goligher’s grading. The mean follow-up period was 55.4 mo (range, 45-92 mo).

RESULTS: The number of band ligations averaged 2.35 in the first session for bleeding and 2.69 for prolapsed patients. Bleeding was controlled in 587 (98.0%) patients, while prolapse was reduced in 137 (82.5%) patients. After treatment, 93 patients experienced anal pain and 48 patients had mild bleeding. Patient subjective satisfaction was 93.6%. Repeat treatment or surgery was performed if symptoms were not relieved in the first session. In the bleeding group, the recurrence rate was 3.7% (22 patients) at 1 year, and 6.6% and 13.0% at 2 and 5 years. In the prolapsed group, the recurrence rate was 3.0%, 9.6% and 16.9% at 1, 2 and 5 years, respectively.

CONCLUSION: EHL is an easy and well-tolerated procedure for the treatment of symptomatic internal hemorrhoids, with good long-term results.

Keywords: Bleeding; Endoscopy; Hemorrhoid; Ligation; Prolapsed