Las Palmas, july 2022. Hospiten Roca incorporates hemorrhoid banding, or rubber band ligation, for the treatment of internal hemorrhoids. The procedure allows the patient to carry on with their normal routine immediately after the intervention since it does not require anesthesia or hospital admission and minimizes postoperative pain. "It is estimated that between 30% and 50% of the population suffers from hemorrhoids and there is a certain genetic predisposition to developing hemorrhoids," says general and digestive surgeon at Hospiten Roca, Dr. Francisco Alba.
"Hemorrhoids are a varicose-like dilation of a blood vessel that occurs in the hemorrhoidal veins in the anal canal and may protrude from the body after straining during a bowel movement, they can even remain outside the anal canal permanently", explains Dr. Alba, who adds that "the condition is more common in women than in men due to pregnancy”.
Hemorrhoid banding, also known as rubber band ligation, is a procedure consisting of grasping the internal hemorrhoid with an anoscope which is inserted into the anal cavity. A tool called a ligator is attached to the anoscope allowing the placement of an elastic band around the base of the hemorrhoid, cutting off the blood supply, reducing it in size and causing it to die.
The procedure is the most commonly used to treat internal hemorrhoids and is effective in 8 out of 10 patients treated. In addition, people who undergo this procedure early on are less likely to require surgery in the future.
Regarding prevention, there are certain risk factors that increase the chances of suffering from hemorrhoids, like obesity, pregnancy or low-fiber diets. So, it is recommended to follow a diet rich in fiber, avoid straining during bowel movements and taking care with your posture when going to the toilet.
"It is also important to drink at least two liters of water a day and avoid the consumption of venodilators like spicy foods, distilled alcohol or certain stimulants like coffee, tea or chocolate," says Dr. Alba.
About the Hospiten Group
The Hospiten Group is an international healthcare network with 50 years of experience, committed to providing the highest quality service, and which has 20 private medical-hospital centers in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica and Panama and more than 100 outpatient centers under the brand Clinic Assist. The group is chaired by Dr. Pedro Luis Cobiella and attends more than 2,000,000 patients from all over the world every year with a workforce of more than 5,000 people.