The objective of this study was to analyze the effectiveness, safety, quality of life, and the results of the treatment for second-and third-degree hemorrhoids using rubber band ligation (RBL). This is a retrospective study for 890 patients who came to outpatient clinic from August 2007 to March 2013; all underwent rubber band ligation using the Barron applicator on an outpatient basis for second-and third-degree internal symptomatic hemorrhoids. Data were collected from the patients' files. The patients were asked to return to outpatient clinic for follow-up at 2 weeks and 1 and 6 months and by telephone call every 6 months for 2 years. Six hundred seventy-seven patients (76 %) were cured (P=0.31). Symptomatic recurrence was detected in 178 cases (20 %) after 2 years. Thirty-five patients (4 %) had some complications from RBL, which required no hospitalization. The complications were pain, rectal bleeding, and vasovagal symptoms (2.6, 1, and 0.4 % of patients, respectively). Seven hundred fifty-six (85 %) of the patients are males; the mean age was 45 years (range, 16-86 years). RBL is a simple, safe, and effective method for treating symptomatic second-and thirddegree hemorrhoids as an outpatient procedure with significant improvement in quality of life.

Background: There are only a few studies about the causes of mortality among critically ill patients in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Objective: To determine the main causes of death among critically ill patients in ICU. Design: A Retrospective Study.

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