Abstract
Solitary gastric varices are usually associated with gastrorenal shunt. Using this hemodynamic factor, we performed TAPS, a new method for eradicating solitary gastric varices. Twenty eight patients with solitary gastric varices were included in this study.Each patient received insertion of balloon catheter through internal jugular vein andballoon vvas finally located at shunt vessel as drainage route of gastric varices that is connected to greater circulation. The shunt vessel was obliterated by retrograde transvenous infusion of 5%ethanolamine oleate(EO). Injection of EO was repeatedly performed at once a day until acquisition of complete obliteration of varices and shunt vessels. Disappearance of gastric varices was recognized in 26 patients (92.9%). The number of injection per session was 2.39±0.98(mean±SD). Total volume of injected EO was 32.0±20.5ml(mean±SD). Severe complication was not seen in all patients. Cumulative survival rate of l year and 3 years was 87.6%and 73.6%, respectively. In these 28 patients there were five deaths not related to TOPS but to the hepatic failure or hepatocellular carcinoma. Both rebleeding and recurrence of varices did not occur in all patients. These results suggest that TAPS as self-retaining catheter method is useful in controlling Mood flow of shunt vessels. TAPS is highly effective method of eradicating gastric varices safety and Without recurrence.
