Endoscopic variceal ligation is an accepted new form of safe treatment for esophageal varices. But, there are a few reports of longterm effect of EVL. We analysed 60 patients to evaluate longterm effect of EVL for esophageal varices. The
eradication
rate was 96.5%, the mean session for eradication of varices 3.0, the number of bands per person 21.5 and the number of bands per session 7.2. Child-Pugh classes(A : B : C) of patients were improved in 25, not changed in 30, deteriorated in 2
cases
by
EVL(34 : 19 : 4 at postEVL vs 20 : 19 : 21 at baseline, P<0.01). No serious treatment-related complication resulted from 167 EVL sessions. The patients were followed for a mean of 10.5 months, during which recurrence rate of varices was 14.5%,
rebleeding rate 16.4%, and mortality rate 12.7%. The period from last session to recurrence was 4~19 months(mean 9.6). No late complication of EVL was documented. In conclusion, EVL is a safe and effective for hemostasis and eradication of
esophageal
varices. This it can improve liver function and reduce bleeding-related mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis. But the regular periodic examination for recurrence after an eradication of varices should be required.
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