Minimally Invasive Banding: A Painless Way to Get Rid of Internal Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids aren't typically a dinner table discussion topic, but they might be on more people's minds than you think! Around 75% of American adults will experience hemorrhoids at some point in their lives. While some hemorrhoids go away on their own, others can cause unpleasant symptoms.

So, what can you do about them if they are on your mind?

Internal hemorrhoids can easily be removed with a procedure called minimally invasive banding or rubber band ligation. As the name implies, our specialists will use a special type of rubber band to tie around the hemorrhoid, cutting off its blood supply and causing it to fall off.

Our experts at Carolina Digestive Health Associates often use minimally invasive banding for their patients with internal hemorrhoids due to its effectiveness and quick recovery. Read on to find out how it's done.

Minimally invasive banding efficiency as proved in clinical studies

In a 2022 study, researchers found that approximately 90% of participants reported significant relief from bleeding, pain, and prolapse after undergoing minimally invasive banding for second and third-degree internal hemorrhoids.

Moreover, a long-term study indicated that up to 90% of patients with second-degree hemorrhoids expressed high levels of satisfaction a year after undergoing minimally invasive banding.

Although the above studies are newer, minimally invasive banding has been used safely for hemorrhoid patients for 60 years.

What happens during a minimally invasive banding procedure

You might be asking yourself, what happens during the procedure?

Because there are no nerve endings near the internal hemorrhoids, you won’t need any anesthesia, as you won’t feel any pain. Internal hemorrhoids are placed above the dentate line in the rectum, a location in which there are no pain-sensing nerves.

You will be asked to lie on your side or kneel while one of our experts introduces a proctoscope to examine your hemorrhoid. Next, one of our specialists will use another tool, such as forceps or a suction ligator, to place the rubber band at the base of your hemorrhoid.

Once the rubber band is in place, you are done. The whole procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

Within a few days, the hemorrhoid will shrink and fall off. Most people don’t notice it because it usually falls off during a bowel movement.

Find out if you are a good candidate for minimally invasive banding

Minimally invasive banding is commonly used for Grade I, II, and III internal hemorrhoids. Grade IV internal hemorrhoids may require surgery to remove them.

If you suffer from hemorrhoids, don’t delay seeking treatment. The procedure is painless, quick, and comes with no downtime. Contact us to schedule an appointment and start feeling better soon.