Endoscopic variceal ligation is a sufficient procedure for the treatment of oesophageal varices in patients with hepatitis C liver cirrhosis: comparison with injection sclerotherapy

J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 1999 Mar;14(3):236-40. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1746.1999.01840.x.

Abstract

Aims: Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) is a recently developed alternative to endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) for the treatment of oesophageal varices. Endoscopic variceal ligation and EIS were compared in an attempt to clarify the efficacy and safety of EVL for patients with cirrhosis due to hepatitis C.

Methods: Endoscopic variceal ligation was performed in 60 patients and EIS in 30. Varices were eradicated in all patients by EVL and 87% (26 out of 30) by EIS.

Results: There was no significant difference between EVL and EIS in relation to the incidence of bleeding and the 5 year survival rate after treatment. There were no severe complications except mild substernal pain after EVL, while pulmonary embolism occurred in one patient receiving EIS.

Conclusions: Endoscopic variceal ligation is a safe and effective technique for eradicating oesophageal varices in patients with hepatitis C cirrhosis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Esophageal and Gastric Varices / prevention & control
  • Esophageal and Gastric Varices / therapy*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / epidemiology
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / prevention & control
  • Hemostasis, Endoscopic*
  • Hepatitis C / complications*
  • Humans
  • Ligation
  • Liver Cirrhosis / virology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polidocanol
  • Polyethylene Glycols / therapeutic use*
  • Sclerosing Solutions / therapeutic use*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Sclerosing Solutions
  • Polidocanol
  • Polyethylene Glycols