TWO CHANNEL, ESOPHAGOFIBERSCOPE FOR ENDOSCOPIC INJECTION SCLEROTHERAPY OF ESOPHAGEAL VARICES AND THE USEFULNESS OF SPLIT HOOD ATTACHMENT

Abstract

Endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) was performed in 9 cases of esophageal varices, using a new type of 2 channel esophagofiberscope (FE-34TH). In the conventional 2 channel fiberscope (FG-36T), the biopsy channels were located only in the lower half of visual field. It was difficult to inject an upward varices by it in our experiences. We also felt it's too long to treat esophageal varices. However, the new model of fiberscope (FE-34TH) has 2 biopsy channels which are separated at the upper and lower half. The working length is 750 mm, which is convenient for EIS. This new f iberscope was particularly useful in the emergency EIS. We studied the usefulness of split hood which was attached at the tip of the fiberscope in EIS. Intravasal injection of varices was done in 53% procedures with the split hood attached fiberscope, but it was done in 44% procedures without split hood attachment. By holding the target varices with the split, EIS was performed easily. We concluded that the new 2 channel fiberscope (FE-34TH) allowed a good result of EIS, but further study is necessary to ascertain the true efficacy of split hood attachment.