A transparent over-tube for endoscopic injection sclerotherapy and results in patients with esophageal varices

This report describes our data regarding repeated injection sclerotherapy using a newly designed over-tube. We treated 17 consecutive patients with esophageal varices, (3 acute, 6 elective and 8 prophylactic). An intravariceal injection of 5 per cent ethanolamine oleate was administered, using a newly designed transparent over-tube containing a second lumen for a flexible injection needle. This over-tube provides an easier, safer, shorter-in-time method of sclerosing esophageal varices. One of the 17 patients died as a result of liver failure associated with advanced cirrhosis and a concomitant hepatoma. Eradication of esophageal varices was attained in the remaining 16 patients, after an average of 5.0 injections over an average period of 5.8 weeks (range: 3-7 injections during 3-11 weeks). No complications, such as esophageal perforation or aspiration pneumonia were encountered. Recurrent variceal bleeding has not occurred during the 9 months follow-up.