Out-patient treatment of haemorrhoids: A randomized clinical trial to compare rubber band ligation with phenol injection

Abstract A prospective randomized clinical trial comparing rubber band ligation (RBL) with phenol injection in 269 patients with symptomatic haemorrhoids presenting to one surgical clinic over a 6 year period, has been carried out. Questionnaires were completed by 215 patients (106 RBL and 109 injection) with an average follow up of 2.75 years. A successful outcome was achieved in 89 per cent of those receiving RBL compared with 70 per cent for injection (P <0.001). All symptons tended to respond more favourably to RBL, the results achieving statistical significance in patients complaining of bleeding and prolapse (P <0.01 and P <0.05 respectively). Complications from either technique were minimal. It is concluded that RBL is superior to phenol injection in the out-patient treatment of haemorrhoids.