[Ligation with elastic ligature: an alternative in the treatment of hemorrhoidal diseases].

Rubber band ligation, first described by Blaisdell, is an effective way of treating internal haemorrhoids. Treatment is ambulatory, thus saving time and costs. Experiences with 72 patients show this method to be superior to injection therapy and haemorrhoidectomy because of the simplicity of technique, the short period of treatment and the minimal discomfort for the patients. In our opinion rubber band ligation is the treatment of choice in managing internal haemorrhoids.