Endoscopic Band Ligation for Bleeding Colonic Diverticulosis

Bleeding colonic diverticulosis is the most common underlying disease causing severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding, and endoscopic hemostasis is commonly used to control the bleeding. While a number of reports have been published on endoscopic hemostasis, no standard procedure has been established yet. However, Endoscopic Band Ligation (EBL) has been reported to be beneficial. We performed EBL in 4 patients with bleeding colonic diverticulosis. All of them visited our hospital with the chief complaint of bloody stool and underwent emergency colonoscopy. Hemostasis was achieved in a single session in all patients, and neither rebuilding nor any complication was observed. Because EBL is relatively easy to perform and may be expected to be associated with a low rebleeding rate, it is useful for the treatment of bleeding colonic diverticulosis.