Longterm Follow-up after Endoscopic Variceal Ligation for Esophageal Varices

Lee, Ok Jae; Kim, Young Chai; Kim, Jung Ryeol

Abstract

Endoscopic variceal ligation is an accepted new form of safe treatment for esophageal varices. But, there are a few reports of long-term effect of EVL. We analysed 60 patients to evaluate long-term 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. Thus 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.