What is a Hemorrhoid Banding?
Hemorrhoid banding is a quick, safe, and comfortable procedure designed to reduce or eliminate symptoms from hemorrhoids. These symptoms include rectal bleeding, irritation, discomfort, a feeling of incomplete bowel movements, or protrusion of hemorrhoid tissue. Additionally, for patients who have experienced painful thrombosed hemorrhoids, hemorrhoid banding can prevent future episodes.
The procedure takes only minutes and requires no bowel prep and no sedation. You can drive yourself to the appointment and drive yourself home. Patients typically require 3 separate sessions, with two weeks in between treatments to allow healing. The procedure entails little to no discomfort.
At University Gastroenterology, we employ the CRH O’Regan Banding System (http://www.crhsystem.com/crh-oregan-system/). This is a clinically proven single-use device that allows safe and sanitary treatment of hemorrhoids. Further information on the procedure and the device can be found at their website, including answers to frequently asked questions. If you suffer from symptoms of hemorrhoids and believe hemorrhoid banding may be right for you, please call for an appointment today at (401) 293-5600. You can visit the weblink above to learn more about the banding system.
To ensure a successful exam, please follow all instructions carefully!
A sigmoidoscope is used to view the inside of the rectum and lower colon. A finger-sized thick tube with a camera at the end is inserted from the rectum, and images of the inner wall of the rectum and part of the colon can be seen on the monitor. It can be used to take a biopsy of the polyp or tumor and remove some polyps. However, a colonoscopy needs to be done to view the whole colon and remove all polyps or tumors. It is fairly safe but has a small risk of bowel tear, bleeding, and infection.
A colonoscope is similar to a sigmoidoscope but is longer and is used to examine the inner wall of the whole colon. It is inserted from the rectum, and the doctor can see the images of the entire colon on the monitor. Special surgical tools can be passed through the colonoscope to take a biopsy and remove polyps. Sedation is required. There is a small risk of bowel tears, bleeding, or infection after the procedure. It’s important to note this is the only colorectal prevention strategy offered.
This is the computed tomography scan of the colon. The person is asked to lie on a table of the CT scanner, which takes cross-sectional images of the colon. It is a non-invasive technique and does not require sedation. If any abnormalities are found, a colonoscopy needs to be done to remove the polyps or tumors.
A small tube is inserted in the rectum, and barium sulfate, a white chalky liquid, and air is pumped into the colon. The barium suspension lines the outer walls of the colon. X-ray images of the colon are then taken to reveal abnormalities on the inner wall of the colon. If any abnormalities are found, a colonoscopy needs to be done to remove the polyps or tumors.
These are done with the fecal sample and are totally safe. Fecal tests may not give confirmatory results but may suggest abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract, warranting further tests. A colonoscopy needs to be repeated if results are positive, indicating the presence of cancerous growth in the colon. There are three types of fecal tests:
- Fecal occult blood tests detect blood in the feces that is not visible to normal eyes through a chemical reaction.
- Fecal immunochemical tests detect blood through a specific immunochemical reaction of a protein in the blood and can detect hidden blood.
- Stool DNA tests look for certain abnormal DNA genes in the cells shed from cancerous outgrowth or polyps in the stool sample.
- You DO NOT need a ride on the day of your exam. It is okay to drive yourself; however, it is okay to have someone drive you in and home if you desire.
- If you are or may be pregnant, please discuss the risks and benefits of this procedure with your doctor.
- Please bring a list of all your current medications, including any over-the-counter medications with you.
- If you must cancel or reschedule your appointment, please call your doctor’s office as soon as possible.
How to Get Ready for your Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Seven days before your procedure:
- If you take aspirin or NSAIDS such as Advil, Motrin, Celebrex or Ibuprofen, you may continue to take them as usual unless otherwise instructed by your physician.
- If you take a blood thinner like Plavix, Pradaxa, Clopidogrel, Coumadin, Warfarin, Effient, Prasugrel or Lovenox, you must discuss this with your doctor and prescribing physician.
- If you are taking any form of iron (ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate), please stop this one
week or seven days prior to your procedure.
One day before your procedure:
- You may take your usual medications with 4 oz of water prior to your procedure.
- Bring a list of your current medications, including any over-the counter medications, with you