Endoscopic variceal ligation versus endoscopic injection sclerotherapy: comparison of hepatic and renal function.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to compare the safety of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) and endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) in terms of liver and kidney functions in patients with liver cirrhosis.


METHODS
Forty-four patients admitted to Takatsuki General Hospital between February 1991 and March 1993 with esophageal varices due to liver cirrhosis were randomly assigned to receive either EVL or EIS. Serum levels of AST, ALT, total bilirubin (T-bil), direct bilirubin (D-bil), prothrombin time (PT), hepaplastin test (HPT), antithrombin III (ATIII), creatinine (Cr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured before and 24 h, 3 days, 7 days, and 14 days after both forms of therapy.


RESULTS
Significant elevations of serum T-bil, serum D-bil, and serum ALT and AST levels were observed in the EIS group but not in the EVL group. No significant increases of serum PT, HPT, ATIII, BUN, or Cr levels were observed after treatment in either group.


CONCLUSIONS
EVL should be considered a first choice therapy for eradicating esophageal varices.
Nakase
H
H
Division of Gastroenterology, Nishi-Kobe Medical Center, Kobe, Japan.
Kawasaki
T
T
Komori
H
H
Sakatani
N
N
Sawai
S
S
Chiba
T
T
D004724:Endoscopy; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D016558:Hemostasis, Endoscopic; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008026:Ligation / Q000379:methods; D008099:Liver / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009829:Oleic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015911:Sclerotherapy
D009829:Oleic Acids; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; C033343:ethanolamine oleate