The Study of Variceal Recurrence after EVL Treatment for Esophageal Varices in Relation to Pretreatment of Esophageal Variceal Pressure

Abstract

We studied variceal recurrence after EVL treatment for esophageal varices in relation to pretreatment of esophageal variceal pressure (EVP). Thirteen patients whose varices were treated by EVL alone or combined therapy of EVL and EIS were included in this study. Six patients showed variceal recurrence and 7 patients did not show recurrence. From the analysis of factors influencing variceal recurrence, EVP and esophageal mucosal status after treatment were the most significant factors. In high EVP group (EVP≥ 15 mmHg), 6 of 9 patients showed variceal recurrence, and of these only one obtained complete eradication of varices, while in low EVP group (EVP < 15 mmHg) no patient showed variceal recurrence including those whose varices were not eradicated completely. These results suggest that measuring of EVP is useful for predicting posttreatment recurrence of esophageal varices.