FOLLOW-UP-STUDY AFTER SCLEROTHERAPY

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 19, 71-75
Abstract
In a prospective study, 200 patients with [esophageal] variceal bleeding (179 cirrhosis, 21 noncirrhotic) who were treated by long-term sclerotherapy were followed for periods up to 6 yr. Varices were obliterated in 162 (81%) with a median of 4 courses of injection. New varices developed in 99 cases and were a cause of bleeding in 28, of whom 3 died. The recurrence of varices was almost always observed within 12 mo. of initial obliteration. A median of 2 courses of sclerotherapy were required to again achieve obliteration. In 20 patients a 2nd recurrence of varices occurred with bleeding in 8 cases but no associated deaths. Regular follow-up endoscopy is recommended after obliteration, particularly in the 1st yr, to detect and treat varices before they are a cause of bleeding.