Q: How successful are rubber band ligation and infra-red laser in treating piles and curing it completely? When do they not work? What are the side effects of these procedures?

A:Both rubber band ligation and laser treatment are useful in the treatment of relatively early piles without much of skin swelling. If treated properly at the early stages they will be cured. They don't work when the piles are very large or involve the whole of the circumference of the anal canal or if the skin component is significant when surgery is better.