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Piles Ligation

DrGanesh DP 2
Dr Ganesh Ramalingam

Specialist in General Surgery

Procedure

Piles Ligation In A Nutshell

  • Piles ligation, also known as rubber band ligation, is a non-surgical procedure used to treat internal haemorrhoids that protrude during bowel movement.
  • Piles ligation is recommended if medication and dietary changes do not improve your haemorrhoid condition. 
  • Piles ligation is a simple procedure that can be done in the doctor’s clinic or as an outpatient case.
  • Piles ligation is an effective treatment method for second-degree haemorrhoids, with 8 out of 10 people fully recovering.

Table of Contents

Piles Ligation

What Is Piles Ligation?

Piles Ligation

Piles ligation, also known as rubber band ligation, is a non-surgical procedure to treat internal haemorrhoids that protrude during bowel movement. A small rubber band is used to tie off the base of the haemorrhoid. 

This cuts off the blood supply to the haemorrhoid, causing the haemorrhoid to die and fall off in a few days and the wound to heal within one to two weeks. A scar will be formed in the place of the haemorrhoid. It holds the surrounding veins to prevent them from bulging into your anal canal.

How Is Piles Ligation Carried Out?

Your doctor inserts an anoscope into your anus to look inside your anus and rectum. Another special instrument is used to grasp the haemorrhoid and a device places a rubber band around the base of the haemorrhoid.

When Should I Consider Piles Ligation?

Piles ligation is usually recommended in the event that medications, topical creams, and dietary changes do not help alleviate and improve the condition. 

Haemorrhoids, when left untreated, can cause significant discomfort, leading to itching and pain, which can disrupt your daily activities. Internal haemorrhoids can also lead to bleeding, which can cause greater discomfort. In such cases, piles ligation is usually recommended as the next course of action to treat the condition.

Do I Need Piles Ligation Immediately?

If your piles have not prolapsed, piles ligation will be suitable to treat your condition. 

Piles ligation is commonly performed for recurrent haemorrhoids that cause significant pain, such as second-degree haemorrhoids. It is a simple procedure that can be done in the doctor’s clinic or as an outpatient case.

Piles ligation is generally highly effective for second-degree haemorrhoids, with 8 in 10 people recovering fully. One to two haemorrhoids can be removed in a single procedure, and a second procedure can be carried out after four to six weeks. It prevents the piles from returning, and repeat treatment is not needed. 

However, this procedure is not suitable for third- or fourth-degree haemorrhoids where your piles have prolapsed and require surgery. A haemorrhoidectomy may be recommended in these cases.

How Do I Prepare for Piles Ligation?

Patients who are preparing to undergo piles ligation may be advised to fast for a period of six to eight hours before the procedure. You are also advised to inform our doctor of any medication or prescriptions that you are consuming. In some cases, you may be advised to stop some of these medicines in the days leading up to the procedure.

To prevent straining yourself after a rubber band ligation procedure, you are advised to avoid exercising or lifting heavy weights in the first two days after the procedure to avoid potential complications.

How Does Piles Ligation Work?

Piles Ligation is usually an outpatient procedure in the endoscopy centre. The procedure will be performed with general anaesthesia, so you will not be conscious and will be unable to feel pain during the entire process.

An anoscope, a tube used to view the lining of the anus and rectal walls, will be inserted into your rectum to locate the haemorrhoid(s).

Once located, our doctor will insert a tool called a ligator through the anoscope. The ligator is fixed with a rubber band that can be placed at the base of the haemorrhoid. As such, it restricts the blood flow in the region.

Once all the detected haemorrhoids have been banded, the anoscope is withdrawn, and you will be brought to a recovery room. The entire process may take less than an hour if there are no complications.

In some cases, where patients experience a frequent recurrence of haemorrhoids, a colonoscopy may be conducted along with the procedure to check for other potential causes, such as unusual growths or inflammation along the colon or rectum walls. 

What Are the Side Effects of Piles Ligation?

A haemorrhoidectomy is an effective way to treat chronic piles. However, as with all surgeries, it comes with a low risk of complications. 

Some complications that may arise from a haemorrhoids surgery include:

  • Pain from the surgery
  • Tears along the walls of the anus following the surgery
  • Stenosis (narrowing of the anus) caused by scar tissue
  • Damage to the sphincter muscles

If the wound is not treated and cleaned regularly and properly, you may also experience an infection of the surgical site. You are advised to contact our clinic if you experience a fever or increasing pain arising from the surgical site in the days following the surgery.

Patients who undergo haemorrhoid surgery are usually discharged from the hospital on the day of surgery. However, if there are complications, our doctor may require you to remain under observation and treatment until these complications have stabilised. 

You should expect to recover completely within 1 to 2 weeks following the procedure. Our doctor may also give you instructions to observe when managing your wound to help it heal quicker.

Generally, undergoing a haemorrhoids surgery should not impact your lifestyle significantly. You will be able to resume a regular diet immediately after you awaken from surgery.

However, to prevent a recurrence, you are advised to increase your fibre intake and drink lots of water to avoid constipation and hard stools, leading to straining during bowel movements.

Conclusion

Untreated piles can severely impact your daily activities. Piles ligation is one of the most common procedures used to treat stubborn haemorrhoids. The treatment is considerably effective in treating internal haemorrhoids and carries a low level of risk.

However, depending on the severity of the haemorrhoid and its stage of development, piles ligation is useful in treating haemorrhoids before they become prolapsed. 

Early detection and treatment help address the condition before it worsens. In cases where haemorrhoids persist in recurring, you may be recommended to consider surgical intervention to remove them. 

Piles surgery to remove excessive tissue causing the bleeding and protrusion is called haemorrhoidectomy and may be the last resort to treating piles. 

To find out more about our haemorrhoids treatment at our clinic, feel free to get in touch with the helpful team at G & L Surgical. Our staff will be on hand to provide you with options and advice on the recommended course of action.

You may contact us directly via WHATSAPP or call our CLINIC.