title: Dislodgement of variceal bands after esophageal balloon tamponade for variceal bleeding.
abstract: A 43-year-old male with alcoholic cirrhosis underwent EGD for hematemesis which revealed bleeding, grade II, lower esophageal varices that were endoscopically ligated with 6 bands. All the bands remained attached to varices at the completion of EGD. Despite apparent initial hemostasis, balloon tamponade was performed one hour later for suspected continued bleeding. Due to suspected continuing bleeding, EGD was repeated 4 h after initial EGD, and 3 h after balloon tamponade. This EGD revealed the esophageal varices; none of the bands remaining on esophageal mucosa; multiple mucosal stigmata likely from trauma at initial site of variceal bands before dislodgement; and 3 dislodged bands in gastric body, duodenal bulb, or descending duodenum. The patient expired 17 h thereafter from hypovolemic shock. This single report may suggest an apparently novel, balloon tamponade complication: dislodgement of previously placed, endoscopic bands. The proposed pathophysiology is release of bands by stretching entrapped, esophageal mucosa during esophageal balloon tamponade. This complication, if confirmed, might render balloon tamponade a less desirable option very soon after band ligation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI.
authors.forename: Estela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mogrovejo
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI.
authors.forename: Palaniappan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Manickam
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI; Oakland University William Beaumont Medical School, Royal Oak, MI.
authors.forename: Gregg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Polidori
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI; Oakland University William Beaumont Medical School, Royal Oak, MI.
authors.forename: Mitchell S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Cappell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D021721:Balloon Occlusion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D017211:Treatment Failure