[Laser inducing mucosal fibrosis for preventing recurrence of esophageal varices].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevention of esophageal varices recurrence by laser inducing esophageal mucosal fibrosis.


METHODS
Our study included 42 patients after esophageal varices eradicated by endoscopic varices ligation, and they were divided into 2 groups randomly, each group included 21 patients. One group was assigned to received laser treatment, and indocyanine green solution (1 mg/ml) was injected submucosally, a diode laser (power 10 watts) was applied to the surface from the esophagogastric junction to 5 cm above it. Another group was controlling without any treatments. All patient were followed up by endoscopy every 3 months until 12 months.


RESULTS
Laser irradiation was performed safely without any major complications. And lower esophageal mucosa produced fibrosis widely after laser irradiated 1 month. After 12 months follow up, the cumulative recurrence rate was significantly lower than the control group, 14% (3/21) vs 43% (9/21) (chi(2) = 4.20, P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study indicates that laser inducing mucous fibrosis is safely and can prevent recurrence of esophageal varices.
Lu
Huan-yuan
HY
Department of General Surgery, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China. Luhuanyuan@hotmail.com
Liu
Xun-yang
XY
Huang
Fei-zhou
FZ
Nie
Wan-pin
WP
Ren
Shu-ping
SP
Huang
Rang-lang
RL
D000328:Adult; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D055502:Secondary Prevention