rubber-band ligation

rubber-band ligation,

a method of treating hemorrhoids by placing a rubber band around the hemorrhoidal part of the blood vessel, causing it to slough off after a period of time. The technique is used in some cases as an alternative to surgery. See also ligation.

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rubber-band ligation

surgical removal of horns, tails, scrotums and contents by the application of rubber ligatures so that the ligated portion sloughs away after several days. Called also Barron ligation, elastration. The same technique is sometimes applied maliciously to a noisy or annoying animal without the owner's knowledge. This is a serious trespass and therefore actionable. The animal usually shows no evidence of pain and the sadism is unsuspected until the ligated part is gangrenous. When the ligature is placed around the neck attention is drawn to the area by a weeping discharge down the neck. Accidental ligation can happen to captive animals in zoos and the like when they are thrown feed parcels fastened with rubber bands.