[Endoscopic ligation plus sclerotherapy in esophageal varices treatment. Experience in active bleeding and in the elective treatment].
BACKGROUND
Endoscopic ligation is the treatment of choice for bleeding esophageal varices. The usefulness of additional sclerotherapy is not clear.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of ligation followed by sclerotherapy in the treatment of variceal bleeding.


METHODS
Forty eight patients with variceal bleeding admitted for emergency treatment and 73 patients admitted for elective treatment were studied. Varices were ligated until a significant reduction in size was achieved. Eradication was completed with the injection of 1% polidocanol.


RESULTS
In 34 of 48 patients admitted for emergency treatment, the site of variceal rupture was identified. In all these subjects, and in 13 of 14 patients in whom the rupture site was not identified, hemorrhage was stopped with the procedure. Varices were eradicated in 108 of the 121 patients. Hemorrhage recidivated in 12.5% of patients admitted for emergency treatment, in a period of 14 months of follow up and in 9.6% of those admitted for elective treatment, in a period of 16 months follow up. Mortality was 14, 18 and 57% among patients classified as Child Pugh A, B or C, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic ligation is effective in the treatment of variceal bleeding. Adding sclerotherapy, variceal eradication is achieved in a high percentage of patients. Survival depends on hepatic function.
Vargas
L
L
Departamento de Gastroenterología, Servicio de Medicina, Hospital San Juan de Dios, División Occidente de la Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile.
Morales
X
X
Ovalle
L
L
Estay
R
R
Soto
J R
JR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome