Bacteremia after endoscopic band ligation of esophageal varices.

In a 6-month period, 17 consecutive unselected patients undergoing emergency or elective endoscopic variceal band ligation were evaluated prospectively for clinical and bacteriological signs of bacteremia after each treatment session. None had signs of sepsis, fever, or chills; however, in one patient, a coagulase-negative Staphylococcus epidermidis was cultured from peripheral blood at 5 but not 30 min after the procedure. These data indicate that, in contrast to sclerotherapy, endoscopic variceal ligation rarely induces bacteremia.     

Randomized trial of ligation versus combined ligation and sclerotherapy for bleeding esophageal varices.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic band ligation combined with sclerotherapy has been postulated to be superior to ligation alone for the treatment of esophageal variceal bleeding. METHODS: A randomized trial of ligation versus combined ligation and sclerotherapy was designed to determine whether combined therapy results in faster eradication of varices compared to ligation alone. Sixty patients were randomized to undergo band ligation or ligation combined with injection of 1 to 2 mL of polidocanol (1%) into each variceal column immediately proximal to the previously placed bands. Therapy was repeated at 1- or 2-week intervals until variceal eradication was achieved. Follow-up endoscopy was performed at 3 months and then at 6-month intervals. RESULTS: The demographic and clinical characteristics of the 31 patients who underwent ligation were similar to those of the 29 who received combined treatment. Sixty percent of the patients had cirrhosis due to viral hepatitis. No significant differences were found between the combined and ligation alone groups in arresting active bleeding [9 of 9 (100%) vs. 6 of 7 (86%)], units of blood transfusion (3 +/- 0.8 vs. 2 +/- 0.6), number of sessions required to eradicate varices (3.8 +/- 0.5 vs. 3.6 +/- 0.4), treatment failure [2 (17%) vs. 4 (14%)], esophageal varix recurrence [6 (21.%) vs. 2 (6%)], gastric varices formation [4 (14%) vs. 1 (3%)], stricture [1 (3%) vs. 0 (0%)], recurrent bleeding [5 (17%) vs. 7 (23%)], other complications [10 (34%) vs. 9 (29%)], or death [3 (10%) vs. 7 (23%)] during a follow-up period of up to 36 months. CONCLUSIONS: Combined ligation and sclerotherapy does not reduce the number of endoscopic treatment sessions required for variceal eradication and offers no benefit over ligation alone. Because of the lack of benefit, the added procedure time, and the cost, we do not advocate combination therapy, and ligation alone remains the best endoscopic treatment.     

Secondary prophylaxis with elastic band ligation in esophageal-gastric varices

The aim of the present study was to determine the usefulness of elastic band ligation in the prevention of hemorrhage recurrence due to esophageal-gastric varices. Sixty-five patients who survived an episode of variceal hemorrhage were included in the study. Twenty-nine patients (45%) were Child-Pugh class A, 25 (38%) were class B, and 11 (17%) were class C. The cause of cirrhosis was hepatitis C virus and alcohol in 45% and 31% of the patients, respectively. The first ligation session was performed between the third and fifth day after the hemorrhagic episode and subsequent sessions were carried out at intervals of 3-4 weeks. The ligation sessions were performed with antibiotic prophylaxis. A mean of 2.7 bands were placed per session (range 1-5), and the mean number of sessions required per patient to achieve variceal eradication was 2.5 (range 1-6). The rate of bleeding recurrence was 24.6% (16 episodes). In conclusion, endoscopic elastic band ligation is a useful technique for the eradication of esophageal varices and for the prevention of bleeding recurrence.     

Endoscopic management for bleeding esophageal varices: sclerotherapy versus sclerotherapy plus band ligation versus band ligation alone. One year experience at a main hospital in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was done retrospectively to compare the outcome of sclerotherapy alone, band ligation alone and band ligation alternating with sclerotherapy in treatment of esophageal varices. METHODOLOGY: During 1 year 30 patients were admitted with variceal bleeding. They received either injection sclerotherapy (8 patients) or band ligation (11 patients), and 11 patients had a combination of both either during first bleed or during follow-up therapy, which is more than 2 sessions in each group. RESULTS: The success rate for stopping first bleeding was 100% in the band ligation and sclerotherapy alone group. The rebleeding rate was 27% in the combination group, 9% in the band ligation group, and none had rebleeding in the sclerotherapy group during follow-up. Eradication of varices was observed in 33% of patients after a second set of sclerotherapy and band ligation. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed no significant difference between sclerotherapy versus band ligation in stopping initial bleeding or eradication of varices during the follow-up period, but there was a difference in re-bleeding rates among the three groups.     

Endoscopic band ligation of esophageal varices in patients on anticoagulation

Endoscopic band ligation is an effective technique for primary and secondary prevention of gastro-esophageal variceal bleeding (GEVB), but can also result in rebleeding from postbanding ulcers. Its use in primary and secondary prevention of GEVB in anticoagulated patients has not been systematically studied. The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of band ligation in primary and secondary prevention of GEVB in anticoagulated patients. Five patients (age 60.2+/-7.3 SD years: 3 males, 2 females) with esophageal varices on anticoagulation were studied using a retrospective chart review in a tertiary hospital setting. Patients were on mandatory anticoagulation with warfarin (international normalized ratio >2), on nonselective beta-blocker therapy if tolerated and were not transvenous intrahepatic porto-systemic shunting candidates. One patient had polycythemia vera (noncirrhotic), the rest were cirrhotics Child class B/C (1 cardiogenic, 1 primary sclerosing cholangitis, 1 Budd-Chiari, and 1 cryptogenic cirrhosis). Two patients had experienced prior acute GEVB; band ligation performed during acute bleeding was not included in the study. All patients had at least grade III-IV esophageal varices on outpatient follow-up for band ligation. Three bands were placed/patient and study patients underwent 3 banding sessions on an average. None of the patients developed GEVB after band ligation. In 3 patients banding resulted in complete variceal eradication, the remaining 2 are still being followed-up for outpatient band ligation. In conclusion, this case series suggests that endoscopic band ligation can potentially be used in anticoagulated patients without alternatives for prevention of acute GEVB.     

特利加压素比较施他宁治疗急性食管静脉曲张破裂出血

目的 比较特利加压素和施要治疗肝硬化患者的急性食管静脉曲张破裂出血的疗效和安全性。方法 特利加压素治疗组４１例,静推２ｍｇ后,第４ｈ静椎１ｍｇ;施他宁治疗组４３例,静注２５０μｇ连续静滴。观察两种药物的止血率,再出血率、死亡率和 。结果 特利加压素组治疗有效率（８０．５％）类似于施他宁组（８３．７％）;两组再出血率分别为１９．５％和２３．３％,死亡率分别为１２．２％和１６．３％。特中压素组作用发生     

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.     

密集多点结扎术治疗食管静脉曲张出血的临床疗效观察

目的探讨内镜下密集多点结扎术(DEVL)治疗食管静脉曲张出血的近远期疗效。方法对贲门口齿状线及以上5～6cm范围的曲张静脉密集多点结扎，每隔2～3周重复治疗，直至曲张静脉全部根治。术后3、6、12个月定期随访及胃镜复查，术后3个月结果作为近期疗效判断依据，6个月以后作为远期疗效判断依据。结果126例患者共完成403次、3641点结扎，平均每例结扎3．2次．28．9点。急诊止血率为100．0％；近期食管静脉曲张根治率为94．4％、总有效率为100．0％、复发出血率为3．9％；经过平均22．3个月随访，远期食管静脉曲张复发率为11．9％、复发出血率为3．2％、未见复发出血死亡。术后多数患者有一过性门静脉高压性胃病加重。结论DEVL治疗能有效急诊止血、根治食管静脉曲张和预防再出血，远期疗效较好。治疗不受肝功能状态的影响，并发症少。     

Endoscopic resection of esophageal leiomyoma with elastic band ligation

Leiomyoma is the most frequent esophageal benign tumor. It represents 70% of these tumors and 1 to 8% of all esophageal tumors. The majority of cases are asymptomatic and are discovered by chance in endoscopic examinations, and a conservative management is adopted. An endoscopic or surgical treatment can be applied in symptomatic cases, basically depending on the size and the underlying layer. OBJECTIVE: To report the endoscopic resection of an esophageal leiomyoma by using an elastic band ligation. Case report: A 55 year-old man complained of prolonged upper dysphagia with solids during three months. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed and an elevated lesion of 1 cm in diameter was found in the esophagus, at 25 cm from the upper dental arcade, with smooth surface and adjacent areas of normal mucosa. It was interpreted as a submucosal lesion. A hypoechoic mucosal and submucosal formation with well delimited borders was observed in an endoscopic ultrasonography. The lesion was resected by using an endoscopic band ligation and a subsequent section with a polypectomy snare. The patient evolved uneventfully and was discharged in 24 hours. The endoscopic examinations during the follow-up showed the healing of the resulting scar. Pathologists diagnosis was esophageal leiomyoma. CONCLUSION: The elastic band ligation is a simple, safe, effective and cheap method to be taken into account for the treatment of mucosal and submucosal esophageal lesions.     

Endoprosthetics for bleeding esophageal varices

Refractory esophageal hemorrhage and early rebleeding following endoscopic therapy remain challenging conditions to treat and are associated with a high mortality. Techniques such as balloon tamponade (BT) and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) are highly effective at controlling refractory bleeding, but they can be associated with a high rate of complications and, in the case of TIPS, may not be immediately available outside specialist centers. Recently, removable self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs) have been introduced in clinical practice for the management of esophageal variceal bleeding. SEMSs control bleeding by tamponade of varices in the distal esophagus and can remain in situ for a number of days, thus preventing early rebleeding. The use of SEMSs does not require the transfer of the patient to a specialist center, and unlike TIPS, it is not associated with deterioration in liver function. The use of SEMSs has been described in small series of patients with refractory bleeding. These series report high rates of hemostasis with low complication rates, suggesting that SEMSs may have an important role in the management of refractory bleeding either as an alternative to BT or where TIPS is contraindicated. SEMSs may also have a role in treating complications of therapy for bleeding esophageal varices, such as postbanding ulceration and BT-induced esophageal tears. The aim of this review is to summarize the published data on the efficacy of SEMSs and suggest future studies that may clarify its role in the management of esophageal variceal hemorrhage.     

Endoscopic band ligation versus propranolol for the primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients with high risk esophageal varices

Background. Gastroesophageal variceal bleeding is a common complication of portal hypertension. Current guidelines recommend β-blockers for primary prophylaxis. However, evidence suggests that endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) reduce bleeding episodes.Aims. To compare endoscopic EVL with propranolol (PPL) for primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding.Methods. We conducted a randomized controlled trial. Over a 9-year period, 75 patients with cirrhosis and high-risk esophageal varices (HREV) were recruited and allocated to EVL (n=39) or PPL (n=36). Primary outcome was variceal bleeding. Secondary outcomes were survival, source of bleeding and serious adverse events. Analyses were made by intention-to-treat.Results. Baseline characteristics were similar. Medium follow-up was 1647±1096 days. Complete follow-up was achieved in 85% of patients. Variceal bleeding occurred in 12% of EVL and in 25% of PPL group (p=0.17). The actuarial risks of bleeding after 2 years were similar in both groups. Overall mortality was 51% in EVL and 33% in PPL group (p=0.17). Patients in the EVL group showed a lower rate of esophageal variceal bleeding (5.1% v/s 25%, p=0.027) and a higher rate of subcardial variceal bleeding compared with PPL group (7.7% v/s 0%, p=0.027). Serious adverse events related to EVL occurred in 2 patients, including 1 death.Conclusions. The present study supports that PPL should be considered the first choice in primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding offering similar effects and lower severe adverse events compared with EVL.     

Bacteremia in cirrhotic patients submitted to endoscopic band ligation of esophageal varices

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic procedures can develop bacteremia. Patients with chronic liver disease are more predisposed to undergo bacteremia and infections because they are immunocompromised. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of bacteremia in cirrhotics submitted to endoscopic variceal ligation. METHODS: Three groups of 40 patients each were studied. One group was made up of patients with cirrhosis who were submitted to ligation, a second group was composed of cirrhotics who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy only, and a third group was composed of patients without liver disease who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Blood was sampled from all patients for culture, both in aerobic and in anaerobic mediums, immediately before endoscopy and at 5 and 30 minutes after its completion. RESULTS: Blood culture was positive in 6 samples. In 4 of these, the bacteria (Staphylococcus hominis hominis, Staphylococcus auricularis, Acinetobacter lwoffii, and coagulase-negative staphylococcus) were isolated before the endoscopic procedure and thus were considered as contamination. In the ligation group, a streptococcus of the viridans group was isolated 5 minutes after the procedure, and in the cirrhosis without ligation group, a Staphylococcus epidermidis was isolated at 30 minutes. None of the patients showed clinical evidence of infection. CONCLUSIONS: The bacteremia incidence in cirrhotic patients submitted to variceal ligation was 2.5%, showing no difference from the control groups.     

Endoscopic band ligation plus argon plasma coagulation versus scleroligation for eradication of esophageal varices

Background and Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate endoscopic band ligation plus argon plasma coagulation versus scleroligation. Methods: Patients were randomized to: Group I, 50 patients subjected to endoscopic injection sclerotherapy; Group II, 50 patients subjected to variceal band ligation; Group III, 50 patients subjected to combined endoscopic sclerotherapy and band ligation; and Group IV, 50 patients subjected to endoscopic band ligation plus argon plasma coagulation. Results: A comparison of the number of therapeutic sessions showed that group III underwent significantly fewer sessions. As regards post‐treatment complications, Group I showed a high incidence of transient pyrexia, transient dysphagia and/or retrosternal pain and ulceration, while in group II a higher incidence of rebleeding was demonstrated, as well as a higher incidence of esophageal varix recurrence after eradication during the follow‐up period. A higher mortality incidence was detected in groups I and II. The follow‐up incidence did not significantly differ between the different study groups. Conclusion: Scleroligation allows very rapid eradication of varices, has a low recurrence rate, avoids the disadvantage of high recurrence of band ligation alone, and does not require special skills over sclerotherapy or band ligation. Also, band ligation plus argon plasma coagulation allows for very rapid eradication of varices, and a low recurrence rate, with no obvious recorded complications, but it has the disadvantage of being the most expensive technique and requires special equipment that is only available in a few endoscopic centers.     

密集结扎法对食管静脉曲张疗效的评价

目的：观察密集结扎法对食管静脉曲张的疗效及并发症。并对其作出评价。方法：128例食管静脉曲张患者,采取内镜下密集结扎法治疗,每次结扎16－22个点,平均18．8个点;与通常法,每次结扎5－6个点（简称一般法）,分别治疗1－2次,进行回顾性对比。结果：密集结扬法,1次急症止血成功率96．9％,血管消失率为92．2％,2次治疗静脉曲张消失率可高达96．9％,术后再出血率0．8％,而一般法2次治疗后分别为95．7％,42．6％、64．7％和7．1％,两组急症止血成功率差异无显著性（P＜0．05、P＜0．01）;并发症两组差异无显著性（P＞0．05）。结论：密集结扎法对食管静脉曲张出血不仅急症止血率高,而且静脉曲张消失快、再出血发生率低,优于一般法。