Abstract
Preventive consolidation therapy for esophageal varices is performed with endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) and endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL). EVL in particular has proliferated rapidly because of the safety and simplicity of the procedure, essentially making the treatment of esophageal varices no longer a specialized therapy. In contrast, various prevention consolidation therapies have been attempted. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is used in this department. APC is considered to be one of the combinations in which coagulation characteristics are said to be optimal for prevention of the recurrence of RC following EVL. On the other hand, EVL, which is repeated based on the supposition of recurrence, also ultimately brings about similar changes as the esophagus in combination with preventive consolidation therapy. When considering the significance of preventive consolidation therapy, it is necessary to reexamine the conventional treatment of RC as related to preventive consolidation therapy along with safety, QOL, cost and other factors that are in line with the current health care environment. There is also considerable need for personalization of effective treatment methods based on hemodynamic studies, prevention consolidation therapy for esophageal varices that focuses on EVL, and standardization of preventive consolidation therapy for esophageal varices that incorporates pharmacotherapy.
