The endoscopic ligation and sclerotherapy in a complex prevention program of variceal bleedings in extrahepatic portal hypertension

The results of prophylactic endoscopic treatment of 22 patients with extrahepatic portal hypertension (main group--EPH) and 76 patients with cirrhosis of the liver (a comparison group--CL) who had had variceal bleedings were analyzed. In the EPH group permanent eradication was obtained in 14 patients (63.6%), in the CL group--in 46 patients (50.5%). With the average duration of achieving the eradication the number of sessions before achieving it proved to be greater than that for CL. Recurrent bleeding during the first month of observations was noted in 7 out of 22 patients. In most cases the sources of bleedings were postligational and postinjectional ulcers of the cardial part of the stomach. Long-term results (1-5 years) were followed-up in 14 patients. In 9 patients there was no recurrent bleeding during 2-5 years of observation. Thus, it is expedient to use endoscopic interventions as the methods of the "first line" in the complex program of secondary prophylactics of variceal bleedings in extrahepatic portal hypertension.     

Intraluminal endoscopic surgery in prevention and palliation of dysphagia induced by esophageal cancer (methods, technique and immediate results)

A procedure of argon-plasma coagulation is suggested to be used alone or in conjunction with chemical necrolysis and high-frequency electrosurgery for endoscopic palliation of dysphagia. Its outstanding impact on tumor-induced dysphagia, involving no life-threatening complications, was demonstrated in a group of 97 patients. A number of basic factors immediately influencing the results of therapy are outlined and relevant recommendations on clinical use are provided.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor in tumor tissue and blood serum from patients with breast cancer

Enzyme immunoassay showed that the content of free vascular endothelial growth factor increases in tumor cytosols and blood serum from patients with breast cancer. A positive correlation was found between the contents of vascular endothelial growth factor in tumor cytosols and blood serum. After removal of the tumor the content of vascular endothelial growth factor decreased only in 49% patients. It should be emphasized that changes in these parameters did not depend on their initial values.