Sclerobanding (Combined Rubber Band Ligation with 3% Polidocanol Foam Sclerotherapy) for the Treatment of Second- and Third-Degree Hemorrhoidal Disease: Feasibility and Short-Term Outcomes.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sclerobanding is a novel technique combining rubber band ligation with 3% polidocanol foam sclerotherapy for the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease (HD). The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, safety and short-term outcomes of sclerobanding in the treatment of second- and third-degree HD. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of second- and third-degree HD cases from November 2017 to August 2021 was performed. Patients on anticoagulants or with other HD degrees were excluded. Follow-up was conducted at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and then every 12 months. RESULTS: 97 patients with second- (20 pts; 20.6%) and third-degree (77 pts; 79.4%) HD with a mean age of 52 years (20-84; SD ± 15.5) were included. Fifty-six patients were men (57.7%) and forty-one women (42.3%). Median follow-up was 13 months (1-26 months). No intraoperative adverse events or drug-related side effects occurred. Minor complications occurred in four patients (4.1%) in the first 30 postoperative days and all resolved after conservative treatment at the 3-month follow-up visit. No mortality or readmissions were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Sclerobanding is a safe technique with a low rate of minor postoperative complications. Further studies on larger samples are necessary to establish the effectiveness and long-term outcomes of the technique.