Endoscopic ligation of esophageal varices

Article Abstract:

Endoscopic ligation may be more effective than endoscopic sclerotherapy for the treatment of bleeding esophageal varices. A varix is an enlarged and twisted vein, artery or lymphatic vessel. Endoscopic ligation involves the tying or binding of a vessel through an endoscope. Endoscopic sclerotherapy involves the injection of a sclerosing solution into vessels or tissues through an endoscope. A research study found that endoscopic ligation stopped bleeding in patients with bleeding esophageal varices. This type of treatment was first developed in the 1950s for the treatment of hemorrhoids. Sclerotherapy has been used more than variceal ligation to treat bleeding esophageal varices, but it has certain types of disadvantages. Patients treated with sclerotherapy may have a higher risk of complications than those treated with variceal ligation. More long-term follow up information is needed for patients who have had variceal ligation.

Editorial

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Endoscopic ligation compared with sclerotherapy for treatment of esophageal variceal bleeding

Article Abstract:

A surgical procedure called ligation that ties off and removes a bleeding vein may be a preferable way to treat bleeding varicose veins in the esophagus. Researchers pooled the data from seven research studies that compared the effects of treating bleeding esophageal veins with ligation as opposed to injecting a hardening solution into the bleeding sites. While both treatments were equally effective, patients treated with ligation had fewer recurring bleeding episodes and needed fewer repeat treatments. Inflammation and scarring of the esophagus developed less frequently and one third fewer patients with bleeding esophageal veins died when treated with ligation as compared to injection therapy. With fewer repeat treatments required, ligation therapy may also be more cost-effective than injection therapy.

Evaluation, Surgery, Ligature (Surgery)

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Endoscopic ligation compared with sclerotherapy for the treatment of bleeding esophageal varices

Article Abstract:

Endoscopic ligation may be more effective and safer than sclerotherapy for the treatment of bleeding esophageal varices. Esophageal varices are enlarged and twisted veins, arteries or lymphatic vessels in the esophagus. Among 77 patients with bleeding esophageal varices, 38 were treated with endoscopic ligation and 39 were treated with sclerotherapy. Twenty-six percent of the patients treated with endoscopic ligation had re-bleeding, compared with 44% of those treated with sclerotherapy. The two groups had a similar number of blood transfusions, length of hospital stay and risk of death. Patients in the endoscopic ligation group had fewer complications than those in the sclerotherapy group.

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