1994 Volume 36 Issue 11 Pages 2147-2155
It has not yet been reported that EVL has little effect on the whole body compared with EIS in terms of liver, renal and pulmonary function the short period after therapy. In this study, to estimate the systemic effect of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) compared to those of endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS), we observed changes of liver, renal and pulmonary functions in 39 patients with liver cirrhosis treated by EIS or EVL. Liver and renal functions were observed before, 24hrs, 3days, and 7days after therapy, and arterial oxygen saturation (Sa02) was monitored during therapy. Significant elevations of serum TBi1 and DBil levels from the basal levels were observed at each time course only in EIS group (especially in Child C group) but not in EVL group. No significant elevations of serum GOT and GPT levels from the basal levels were observed at each time course but in Child C group of patients treated by EIS, serum GOT and GPT tended to be peak levels at 3days after therapy. No significant changes of BUN, Cr, PT and HPT were observed at each time course. No significant differences of Sa02 between two groups were noted. However, significant decrease of SaO2 level from the basal was observed during the procedure in both groups. These results suggested that EVL has little systemic effect compared to those of EIS in terms of changes of liver function duting the short period after therapy. Therefore, EVL might be a first choice of therapy for eradicating esophageal varices in patients with poor hepatic function.
