Endoscopic band ligation plus argon plasma coagulation versus scleroligation for eradication of esophageal varices.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate endoscopic band ligation plus argon plasma coagulation versus scleroligation.


METHODS
Patients were randomized to: Group I, 50 patients subjected to endoscopic injection sclerotherapy; Group II, 50 patients subjected to variceal band ligation; Group III, 50 patients subjected to combined endoscopic sclerotherapy and band ligation; and Group IV, 50 patients subjected to endoscopic band ligation plus argon plasma coagulation.


RESULTS
A comparison of the number of therapeutic sessions showed that group III underwent significantly fewer sessions. As regards post-treatment complications, Group I showed a high incidence of transient pyrexia, transient dysphagia and/or retrosternal pain and ulceration, while in group II a higher incidence of rebleeding was demonstrated, as well as a higher incidence of esophageal varix recurrence after eradication during the follow-up period. A higher mortality incidence was detected in groups I and II. The follow-up incidence did not significantly differ between the different study groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Scleroligation allows very rapid eradication of varices, has a low recurrence rate, avoids the disadvantage of high recurrence of band ligation alone, and does not require special skills over sclerotherapy or band ligation. Also, band ligation plus argon plasma coagulation allows for very rapid eradication of varices, and a low recurrence rate, with no obvious recorded complications, but it has the disadvantage of being the most expensive technique and requires special equipment that is only available in a few endoscopic centers.
Harras
Fouad
F
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
Sheta
El Shazly
el S
Shehata
Mona
M
El Saadany
Sherif
S
Selim
Mahmoud
M
Mansour
Loai
L
D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D016558:Hemostasis, Endoscopic / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008026:Ligation; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D015996:Survival Rate; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D013537:Sutures
D012597:Sclerosing Solutions