Maintenance bran therapy for prevention of symptoms after rubber band ligation of third-degree haemorrhoids
Jensen, S.L.; Harling, H.; Tange, G.; Shokouh-Amiri, M.H.; Nielsen, O.V.
Acta Chirurgica Scandinavica 154(5-6): 395-398
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5482 PMID: 2844044 Document Number: 326408
Proctoscopically diagnosed third-degree haemorrhoids were treated with rubber band ligation (RBL) in 92 patients, who were randomly assigned to management with or without twice-daily intake of unprocessed bran for 18 months. RBL was performed maximally five times at 2-week intervals. Patients who were symptom-free 10 weeks after first banding were considered cured and were enrolled in a follow-up study. The two treatment groups did not differ in regard to clinical or proctoscopic characteristics. The number of RBL required for cure was lower in the bran-treated group (p less than 0.01). The intergroup difference in cure rate 10 weeks after the first treatment was not significant (85% v. 91%). During the follow-up period symptoms recurred in 45% of the RBL group, but in only 15% of the RBL + bran group (p less than 0.01). A high-fiber diet thus increased the long-term cure rate among patients with third-degree haemorrhoids initially cured by RBL.