Endoscopic variceal ligation is a sufficient procedure for the treatment of oesophageal varices in patients with hepatitis C liver cirrhosis: comparison with injection sclerotherapy

AIMS: Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) is a recently developed alternative to endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) for the treatment of oesophageal varices. Endoscopic variceal ligation and EIS were compared in an attempt to clarify the efficacy and safety of EVL for patients with cirrhosis due to hepatitis C. METHODS: Endoscopic variceal ligation was performed in 60 patients and EIS in 30. Varices were eradicated in all patients by EVL and 87% (26 out of 30) by EIS. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between EVL and EIS in relation to the incidence of bleeding and the 5 year survival rate after treatment. There were no severe complications except mild substernal pain after EVL, while pulmonary embolism occurred in one patient receiving EIS. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic variceal ligation is a safe and effective technique for eradicating oesophageal varices in patients with hepatitis C cirrhosis.     

内镜食管曲张静脉结扎术16例

目的:应用“O”形橡皮圈行内镜下食管曲张静脉结扎术(EVL)包括机械结扎和使曲张静脉内血栓形成。本文评价了EVL治疗食管静脉曲张破裂出血的效果和安全性。方法:16例食管静脉曲张破裂出血病人,Child A级5例,B级8例,C级3例。经诊断性内镜检查后,于食管远端5cm和胃近端1-2cm范围内进行结扎。结果:在15个月中,16例食营静脉曲张破裂出血病人作了EVL。平均每例结扎4次后,10例静脉曲张根治,5例缩小。全组共作EVL370处,未发生与治疗有关的非出血性并发症。经1—14个月随访,1例再出血,2例死于肝衰竭。结论:EVL可控制活动性食营静脉曲张破裂出血,反复治疗可根治静脉曲张。它几乎不发生非出血性并发症,可代替硬化治疗。     

Two Cases of Rectal Varices Treated by Endoscopic Variceal Ligation

Abstract: Case 1 was a 49-year-old asymptomatic, woman with enlarged esophageal varices due to cirrhosis of the liver. Fourteen days after the last session of endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) for esophageal varices, colonoscopy revealed large tortuous rectal varices extending 4 cm from the dentate line. Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) was performed for rectal varices, and bands were placed on the varices at seven sites. There were no complications. Seven days after EVL, colonoscopy revealed ulcers in the rectum, and shrinkage of varices. Case 2 was a 62-year-old woman with general fatigue due to cirrhosis of the liver. At 50 years of age, she underwent a transection of the esophagus to remove varices, and splenectomy. At 57 years of age, EIS was per formed for recurrent esophageal varices. Colonoscopy was performed because of anal bleeding, and revealed tortuous rectal varices extending 5 cm from the dentate line. EVL was then performed, and bands were placed on the varices at eight sites, with no complications. Seven days after EVL, colonoscopy indicated ulcers in the rectum and shrinkage of the varices. EVL appears to be a safe and effective therapy for rectal varices. (Dig Endosc 1999; 11: 66–69)     

Endoscopic management of gastric varices using a detachable snare and simultaneous endoscopic sclerotherapy and O-ring ligation

BACKGROUND: Cyanoacrylate injection is highly effective and is regarded as the treatment of choice in bleeding gastric varices in Europe, but intravenous injection of cyanoacrylate is not allowed in the USA and Japan because it may cause embolisms in other organs. Accordingly, we developed a new endoscopic combined treatment of endoscopic management of gastric varices using a detachable snare (EVLs) and simultaneous endoscopic sclerotherapy and O-ring ligation (EISL) (i.e. EVLs + EISL), and we prospectively evaluated its efficacy and safety. METHODS: Gastric varices were ligated with the loop of a detachable snare that opened to a diameter of 4 cm (EVLs). Then the residual varices around the ligated portion were sclerosed by ethanolamine oleate and the injected vessel was ligated using a pneumo-activated EVL device (EISL). The EVLs + EISL was performed in 35 patients: on an emergency basis in eight patients, on an elective basis in six patients and as primary prophylaxis in 21 patients. Liver function was classified as Child-Pugh class A in 12 patients, class B in 12 patients and class C in 11 patients. RESULTS: Endoscopic disappearance of gastric varices was obtained in 97.1% of the patients and they regressed in all patients. Haemostasis was achieved in all eight emergency cases. The 2-year cumulative non-recurrence rate was 85%, the 2-year cumulative non-bleeding rate was 92% and the 2-year cumulative survival was 80%. No patients died of bleeding from gastric varices. There were no serious short-term complications, such as haemorrhage, gastro-oesophageal perforation, ileus, or renal impairment. CONCLUSION: Combined EVLs + EISL appears to be a useful treatment for gastric varices due to its safety and good clinical outcome.     

Use of detachable snares and elastic bands for endoscopic control of bleeding from large gastric varices

BACKGROUND: Bleeding from gastric varices larger than 2 cm in diameter represents a major limitation for endoscopic hemostasis. METHODS: Endoscopic ligation of gastric varices was performed with detachable snares and elastic bands in 41 patients who had recent bleeding from gastric varices larger than 2 cm in diameter. Gastric varices larger than 2 cm were ligated with detachable snares, and then adjacent small gastric varices were ligated with elastic bands. RESULTS: Among the 41 patients, 10 of 12 patients with active bleeding and 28 of 29 patients with red color signs at initial endoscopy were successfully treated by endoscopic ligation by using detachable snares and elastic bands. Bleeding recurred early (before variceal eradication) in 4 of 38 patients (10.5%). The overall hemostatic rate for endoscopic ligation was 82.9% (34/41). In 33 of 36 patients (91.7%) who underwent repeated ligation treatments, variceal eradication was nearly complete. Mean follow-up in 30 of 33 patients after eradication of varices was 16.4 months (3-32 months), and 29 of 30 did not have recurrent bleeding. During and after ligation there were no serious complications. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic ligation therapy with large detachable snares and elastic bands is safe and effective for treatment of large bleeding gastric varices.     

心得安单纯或联合使用在二级预防食管静脉曲张出血中的疗效比较

目的比较单纯心得安、套扎＋心得安、硬化剂＋心得安二级预防食管静脉曲张出血的疗效,探寻心得安二级预防食管静脉曲张出血的最佳组合。方法78例食管静脉曲张出血患者随机分成3组,每组26例,止血后分别给予心得安（心得安组）、套扎＋心得安（套扎组）、硬化剂＋心得安（硬化剂组）,比较各组12个月内再出血率、死亡率,以及各组门脉高压性胃病、胃底静脉曲张发生率、食管曲张静脉复发率。结果12个月内再出血率套扎组为30．77％,明显低于心得安组（53．85％）及硬化组（42．31％）（P均〈0．05）;套扎组和心得安组门脉高压性胃病及胃底静脉曲张发生率相似,都明显低于硬化组（P均〈0．05）;而食管静脉曲张再发率高于硬化组（P〈0．05）。结论在应用心得安的基础上进行套扎治疗可能是目前食管静脉曲张出血最有效的二级预防方法。     

Evaluation of endoscopic variceal ligation in prophylactic therapy for bleeding of oesophageal varices: a prospective, controlled trial compared with endoscopic injection sclerotherapy

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) in prophylactic therapy for oesophageal varices, we performed a randomized prospective trial to compare the recurrence of oesophageal varices treated by EVL with those treated by endoscopic injection sclerotherapy. METHODS: Fifty patients with liver cirrhosis were divided into two groups at random, after informed consents were obtained, to receive prophylactic therapy for bleeding of oesophageal varices. Group 1 patients underwent sessions of sclerotherapy with 5% ethanolamine oleate used as the sclerosant. Group 2 patients underwent EVL followed by one or two sessions of sclerotherapy. RESULTS: During the 18 month follow-up period, both the recurrence rate in group 2 (56%) and the incidence of bleeding (20%) were significantly higher compared with group 1 (recurrence rate 16%, bleeding 0%). CONCLUSIONS: This result indicates that EVL is not effective for prophylactic therapy for oesophageal varices in liver cirrhosis.     

心得安联合内镜套扎术预防食管静脉曲张再出血的疗效分析

目的比较心得安联合内镜套扎治疗与单独内镜套扎治疗预防食管静脉曲张再出血的疗效。方法 65例食管静脉曲张破裂出血的患者随机分为心得安联合内镜套扎治疗组(33例),单独内镜套扎治疗组(32例),平均随访12个月,比较两组间再出血率,门脉高压性胃病,食管静脉曲张复发和胃底静脉曲张的发生率。结果两组治疗后随访第6,12个月显示,与单独内镜套扎治疗比较,心得安联合内镜套扎治疗显著降低再出血率(15.2%vs 37.5%,21.2%vs 46.9%,P<0.05),门脉高压性胃病(18.2%vs43.8%,30.3%vs 56.3%,P<0.05),食管静脉曲张复发(15.2%vs 37.5%,24.2%vs 50.0%,P<0.05)和胃底静脉曲张的发生率(12.1%vs 34.4%,21.2%vs 46.9%,P<0.05)。结论心得安联合内镜套扎治疗是二级预防食管静脉曲张出血的首选治疗方法。     

内镜下组织胶注射联合套扎治疗急性胃食管静脉曲张出血的临床应用

目的探讨内镜下组织胶注射联合套扎治疗急性胃食管静脉曲张出血的临床价值。方法23例临床确诊为肝硬化急性胃食管静脉曲张破裂出血患者,均于出血稳定12h内采用胃曲张静脉三明治法组织胶注射后联合食管曲张静脉套扎治疗,术后2周、3个月进行内镜随访。观察治疗后再出血率、死亡率、食管胃静脉曲张程度。结果所有患者均一次成功止血。6例患者于术后2周,再次行EVL术。食管胃静脉曲张程度明显减轻,食管静脉治疗有效率95．65％,胃底静脉曲张治疗有效率91．30％。随访期3个月内无一例再出血及死亡病例。结论内镜下组织胶注射联合套扎是治疗胃食管静脉曲张急性出血一种安全可靠的方法。     

Factors predicting success of endoscopic variceal ligation for secondary prophylaxis of esophageal variceal bleeding

Introduction: Endoscopic obliteration of esophageal varices by endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) is an effective form of secondary prophylaxis. However, there is no consensus regarding the technical aspects of EVL for secondary prophylaxis. The present study compares the technical aspects of EVL (frequency of sessions, number of sessions and number of bands used) in patients who rebled following secondary prophylaxis of esophageal varices by EVL compared to those who did not rebleed. Methods: All patients who underwent EVL for treatment of acute variceal bleeding followed by EVL for secondary prophylaxis and who subsequently developed recurrent variceal bleeding at Mayo Clinic, Rochester between January 1995 and May 2003 were identified. A control group of patients undergoing EVL for secondary prophylaxis who did not rebleed was identified. Results: During the study period, 216 patients with acute esophageal variceal hemorrhage underwent emergent EVL treatment with follow‐up EVL for secondary prophylaxis, of whom 20 (9.3%) subsequently rebled. Both rebleeding and non‐rebleeding patient groups were well‐matched with respect to liver function (Child–Pugh class), number and size of variceal trunks, endoscopic stigmata of hemorrhage and beta‐blocker usage. The median interval between EVL sessions in the rebleeding group (2 weeks, interquartile range 0–2 weeks) was significantly shorter compared to the non‐rebleeding group (5 weeks, interquartile range 3–7 weeks; P = 0.004). Adjusting for age, gender, and Child–Pugh class, interbanding interval ≥ 3 weeks was associated with increased likelihood of not rebleeding, hazard ratio 3.84 (95% confidence interval: 1.69–11.79; P = 0.0007). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the importance of technical aspects of EVL on patient outcome, suggesting the benefit of longer interbanding intervals. Future prospective studies are required to define the optimal intersession interval. Standardizing procedural aspects of EVL will aid in objectively evaluating the benefit of this procedure when compared to other modalities such as medical treatment.     

三种内镜下治疗方法对胃底静脉曲张的疗效

目的 探讨3种内镜下治疗方法对胃底静脉曲张的疗效。方法 将40例胃底静脉曲张患者分为3组进行内镜下治疗，分别为胃底静脉曲张结扎术组(11例)、静脉内注射组织粘合剂组(15例)以及静脉内注射鱼肝油酸钠和凝血酶组(14例)。术后随访6个月，了解其有效率、胃底静脉曲张消失率、再出血率、不良反应发生率以及成本-效益比。结果 3组患者6个月的有效率分别为100．0％、100．0％、72．7％；胃底静脉曲张消失率分别为25．0％、30．8％、0；再出血率分别为27．3％、20．0％、28．6％。结论 胃底静脉曲张结扎术和静脉内注射组织粘合剂的疗效优于静脉内注射鱼肝油酸钠和凝血酶，胃底静脉曲张结扎术的成本-效益比最好。     

Endoscopic Variceal Ligation of Bleeding Rectal Varices: A Case Report

The incidence of ectopic varices in the rectum is likely to increase with improvements in the treatment and survival of patients with portal hypertension. If a patient with portal hypertension suffers massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage, it is important to perform a detailed endoscopic examination, as there is a possibility of rectal varices. Although a standard therapy for rectal varices has not been established, we encountered a case of rectal varices that was successfully treated with endoscopic variceal ligation alone. Endoscopic variceal ligation is minimally invasive, safe, effective, simple and reliable. Endoscopic variceal ligation is promising as a possible first line of therapy for rectal varices.     

肝硬化食管静脉曲张内镜下套扎临床疗效分析

目的 探讨内镜下套扎治疗肝硬化食管静脉曲张出血(esophageal varices bleeding,EVB)的止血效果及影响因素.方法 对123例肝硬化食管静脉曲张(esophageal varices,EV)出血的患者应用内镜下食管静脉套扎术(endoscopic variceal ligation,EVL)进行治疗.结果 所有患者经过1次EVL治疗,EV消失31例(25.2%),EV减轻92例(74.8%),无效0例.近期出血13例,远期出血9例.结论 EVL是治疗肝硬化食管静脉曲张破裂出血的一种有效方法,但并非没有风险,影响疗效因素众多.     

内镜静脉曲张结扎术与十四肽生长抑素治疗肝硬化食管静脉曲张破裂出血的疗效比较

目的 比较内镜静脉曲张结扎术与十四肽生长抑素在治疗肝硬化食管静脉曲张破裂出血中的效果.方法 将2003年1月至2006年4月广东省江门市中心医院消化科收治的80例肝硬化食管静脉曲张破裂出血患者分为内镜治疗组(40例)和十四肽生长抑素治疗组(40例).内镜治疗组在内镜下用多环连发皮圈结扎器行静脉曲张结扎术(EVL),然后静脉滴注垂体后叶素7 d;生长抑素治疗组先以十四肽生长抑素持续静脉滴注72 h,再以垂体后叶素静脉滴注持续4 d.结果 内镜治疗组中39例72 h内止血(97.5%).1个月内再出血4例(10%,其中1周内再出血3例),发生肝肾综合征1例,肝性脑病1例,死亡2例(5%).生长抑素治疗组72 h完全止血32例,1个月内再出血5例(12.5%),出现肝肾综合征5例(12.5%),P＞0.05;肝性脑病6例(15%),P＜0.05;死亡6例(15%),P＞0.05.结论 食管静脉曲张皮圈结扎治疗肝硬化食管静脉曲张破裂大出血优于生长抑素治疗,尽早EVL治疗能减少肝性脑病的发生.     

New techniques: combined endoscopic injection sclerotherapy and ligation for acute bleeding from gastric varices

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Combined endoscopic injection sclerotherapy and endoscopic variceal ligation was used for the treatment of acute bleeding from gastric varices. METHODOLOGY: Between July 1995 and August 1998, three cirrhotic patients with acute bleeding from gastric varices were treated. Endoscopic variceal ligation of the puncture point and bleeding point was performed simultaneously. RESULTS: Acute bleeding from the gastric varices was successfully stopped in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Combined endoscopic injection sclerotherapy and endoscopic variceal ligation can be used to stop bleeding and prevent rebleeding from gastric varices.     

Endoscopic variceal ligation of patients with liver cirrhosis and cirrhosis accompanied by hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: Rupture of esophageal varices with severe gastrointestinal hemorrhage is one of the most serious complications of liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) complicating LC. The present study looks at the success of hemostasis in LC and LC accompanied by HCC, the success of breaking the varices cluster and the rate of rebleeding in patients of LC subject to emergency ligation and prophylactic ligation. Methods: Seventy‐five patients were divided into three groups. Group 1: 30 patients with LC accompanied by HCC with digestive bleeding; group 2: 30 patients with LC with digestive bleeding; and group 3: 15 patients with LC with high risk of digestive bleeding from esophageal varices (with no medical history of digestive bleeding). Success of hemostasis 72 h after endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) was that patients did not vomit blood nor produce black feces. The effectiveness of EVL for iradication of the variceal cluster was classified into three levels: good, fairly good and poor. Results: The hemostasis success in group 1 (LC accompanied by HCC) and group 2 (LC with digestive bleeding due to esophageal varices) was 73.3% and 93.4%, respectively. The success of breaking the varix cluster in group 2 (LC) and group 3 (LC with high risk of digestive bleeding and treated by prophylactic ligation) was 73.3% and 80%, respectively. The rate of rebleeding in group 2 and group 3 after 1 year was 20% and 13.3%, respectively. Conclusion: Endoscopic variceal ligation is a good technique for variceal hemostasis and eradication of the esophageal varices cluster.     

内镜套扎术急症止血治疗肝硬化食管静脉曲张破裂出血的疗效观察

目的探讨食管静脉曲张破裂出血的内镜套扎术急诊止血的疗效及安全性。方法对52例乙型肝炎肝硬化食管静脉曲张破裂出血患者实施内镜下急诊套扎止血术,观察术中、术后并发症,并于术后1月复查胃镜观察食管曲张静脉消失情况。结果51例（98％）患者急诊止血成功,1例（2％）止血失败,表现为术后6天内反复便血,转外科手术治疗;术后1月复查胃镜见21例（41．2％）静脉曲张消失或基本消失,28例（54．9％）中上段食管静脉曲张基本消失,2例（3．9％）存在显著的静脉曲张。术后常见并发症有咽下不适、胸骨后隐痛、低至中度发热,发生率为15．9％,未发生严重的并发症。结论急诊套扎术治疗食管静脉曲张破裂出血疗效可靠、安全性高。     

Endoscopic variceal ligation compared with endoscopic injection sclerotherapy for treatment of esophageal variceal hemorrhage:A meta-analysis

AIM:To compare the effect of endoscopic variceal ligation(EVL)with that of endoscopic injection sclerotherapy(EIS)in the treatment of patients withesophageal variceal bleeding.METHODS:We performed a systematic literature search of multiple online electronic databases.Metaanalysis was conducted to evaluate risk ratio(RR)and95%confidence interval(CI)of combined studies for the treatment of patients with esophageal variceal bleeding between EVL and EIS.RESULTS:Fourteen studies comprising 1236 patients were included in the meta-analysis.The rebleeding rate in actively bleeding varices patients in the EVL group was significantly lower than that in the EIS group(RR=0.68,95%CI:0.57-0.81).The variceal eradication rate in actively bleeding varices patients in the EVL group was significantly higher than that in the EIS group(RR=1.06,95%CI:1.01-1.12).There was no significant difference about mortality rate between the EVL group and EIS group(RR=0.95,95%CI:0.77-1.17).The rate of complications in actively bleeding varices patients in the EVL group was significantly lower than that in the EIS group(RR=0.28,95%CI:0.13-0.58).CONCLUSION:Our meta-analysis has found that EVL is better than EIS in terms of the lower rates of rebleeding,complications,and the higher rate of variceal eradication.Therefore,EVL is the first choice for esophageal variceal bleeding.     

The value of the endoscopic therapies in the treatment of rectal varices: a retrospective comparison between injection sclerotherapy and band ligation.

This study consisted of 15 patients who had undergone endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) or endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) for rectal varices. Ten of fifteen patients had histories of anal bleeding, and colonoscopy revealed signs of the risk of variceal rupture in the other five patients. EIS was perfomed in six of the fifteen patients, and the other nine patients underwent EVL. EIS was performed weekly from 2 to 4 times (mean, 3.0), and the total amount of sclerosant ranged from 3.2 to 5.8ml (mean, 4.9ml). After EIS, colonoscopy revealed shrinkage of the rectal varices in all six patients with no complications. EVL was performed weekly from 1 to 3 times (mean, 2.2), and bands were placed on the varices at 2-12 sites (mean, 8.0). After EVL, colonoscopy revealed both ulcers and shrinkage of the varices in the rectum in all nine patients. Eight of the nine experienced no operative complications. However, in the other case, colonoscopy revealed bleeding from ulcers after EVL. The average follow-up period after EIS or EVL was 30 months. The overall non-recurrence rate of rectal varices was 11 of 15 (73.3%); this includes five of the six patients (83.3%) receiving EIS and six of the nine who received EVL (66.7%). The non-recurrence rate was no difference between EIS group and EVL group statistically (P=0.57) by reason of small number of cases. In conclusion, EIS is some superior to EVL with regard to long-term effectiveness, complications on rectal varices.     

内镜下结扎食管静脉曲张的疗效评估:216例临床分析

作者采用内镜结扎术治疗216例食管静脉曲张病人,其中69例有急性出血,经此方法治疗后,即时止血率达92.8％。经3～5次结扎后,其中80％的食管静脉曲张消失或缩小至Ⅰ°以下。未发生与结扎术有关的严重并发症。随访4～40个月(平均16月),出血复发率为17.1％,有25例死亡。结果表明:内镜结扎术疗效好,操作方便,并发症少,可适用于肝功能差、不能耐受手术以及手术后或硬化剂治疗后食管静脉曲张复发出血的病人。