MULTIPLE HEMORRHOIDAL BANDINGS IN A SINGLE SESSION

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the risks of multiple he morrhoidal bandings in a single session. METHODS: We retrospectively e xamined all of the patients who had hemorrhoidal bandings from July 19 89 to August 1992. RESULTS: Patients with multiple hemorrhoidal bandin g in a single session when compared with patients with single banding had greater discomfort and pain (29 percent vs. 4.5 percent), but this discomfort was usually manageable with oral analgesia of limited dura tion. There were also more vasovagal symptoms (5.2 percent us. 0 perce nt), local swelling and edema (2.6 percent vs. 0 percent), and urinary hesitancy and frequency (12.3 percent us. 0 percent) in the multiple- banded patients. No major complication such as massive delayed bleedin g and perineal or pelvic sepsis was noted. CONCLUSION: Most patients t olerated multiple hemorrhoidal banding in a single session with accept ably low complications. Multiple banding in a single session is a safe and cost-effective alternative.