Evaluation of Endoscopic Injection Sclerotherapy for Esophageal Varices in Patients Classified as Group A or B by the Child-Pugh's Criteria

Abstract

Endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) using 5% ethanolamine oleate mixed with contrast medium was done to treat esophageal varices in 166 patients of group A or B by the Child-Pugh's criteria. An avascularization balloon was attached to the endoscopy to prevent the spread of sclerosant toward oral side. The rate of complete disappearance of varices was 95.8%, cumulative recurrence rate at 17 years after EIS was 6.5%, and bleeding after EIS was found only in 1.3%. There was no death due to EIS. Minor complication such as esophageal ulcer and mild stenosis of esophagus occurred in only 4.2%. Major complication involving other organs did not occur at all. Six cases with remarkable pipeline varices were treated by EIS successfully with complete disappearance of the varices and no recurrence during follow-up. These results suggest that EIS is effective and safe, and can be regarded as the first choice for the treatment of esophageal varices.