Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) is newly developed method to manage esophageal variceal bleeding. This study assessed initial control rate of active variceal bleeding, incidence of rebleeding and complications in EVL.
From June in 1992 to December in 1994, this study was performed on 70 patients who had visited to our medical center for melena or hematemesis by acute esophageal variceal bleeding. In all of 70 cases, eradication of esophageal varix was
performed
and
variceal bleeding was controlled well, And first session was performed successfully with EVL. But rebleeding was occured in 12 cases(11 cases caused by esophageal varix and 1 cases caused by esophageal ulcer) during follow-up pehid, so EVL
therapy
was
performed repeatedly, and 8 cases were eradicated and 4 cases were uncontrolled and died, and then 94% hemostatic effect was achieved during follow-up.
Complications of EVL therapy were mild (substernal discomfort in 12 cases, substernal pain in 4 cases, fever in 3 cases, mild dysphagia in 2 cases) and well controlled. Superficial esophageal ulcer was shown in 18 cases by follow-up endoscopy
after
1
week.
These results show that EVL is a good therapeutic method to control active variceal bleeding and eradication of varix with repeat treatment. So, EVL is an effective and safe method of treatment and prevention for esophageal variceal bleeding.
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