Endoscopic variceal ligation as primary prophylaxis for oesophageal variceal bleeding at a Malaysian tertiary hospital

@#Objective: Approximately one-third of patients with esophageal varices will develop bleeding which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis. Currently, the two most widely used modalities to prevent variceal bleeding are pharmacologic and oendoscopic variceal band ligation (EVL). However, EVL has been associated with significant complications. Hence we aim to evaluate and to identify the epidemiology, demography, and complications of EVL at our local Malaysian tertiary hospital. Method: This is a retrospective study of all the patients that had undergone endoscopic variceal surveillance at the Gastroenterology endoscopy unit, Serdang Hospital from 1st January 2015 to 31st March 2017. Patients’ demography, aetiologies of liver cirrhosis, platelet level and international normalised ratio (INR) prior banding procedure, and the post EVL complications were recorded and further analysed with SPSS version 16. Results: In this study, 105 patients were screened for varices. Fifty-five of them had undergone EVL, with a quarter of the patients requiring repeated ligation. There was a male preponderance with 76.4%. 56.4% of patients were in age from 40-59 years. The majority of our patients were of the Malay ethnicity. The major aetiology for liver cirrhosis in our patients was viral hepatitis with Hepatitis C (31.0%), and Hepatitis B (20.0%). Most of our patients had platelet count >50,000 and INR <1.5 prior to EVL. There was no major complication in all of our subjects.

The Efficacy and Safety of Endoscopic Esophageal Varix Ligation combined with Omeprazole and Octreotide in the Treatment of Esophageal Variceal Bleeding / 现代生物医学进展

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of endoscopic esophageal varix ligation (EVL) combined with omeprazole and octreotide in the treatment of esophageal variceal bleeding.Methods:127 patients with cirrhosis complicated with esophageal variceal hemorrhage diagnosed and treated in our hospital from May 2014 to May 2016 were divided into the study group and the control group.The control group was treated with omeprazole and octreotide on the basis of conventional therapy,while the study group was treated with endoscopic esophageal variceal ligation (EVL) on the basis of control group.The clinical efficacy,hospitalization condition,incidence of adverse reactions and rebleeding rate after treatment of the two groups were analyzed.Results:All the patients in the study group were successfully operated.In the control group,10 patients showed hematemesis and melena,among which 1 patient wastreated with surgery.After treatment,the c lini cal effi cacy of the study group was superi or to the control group,and the di fference was stati sti cally significant (P＜0.05).During the treatment period,the hemostasis time,blood transfusion time,hospital stay and hospitalization expenses of the study gronp were significantly lower than those of the control group (P＜0.05).In the study group and the control group,10 cases and 7 cases respectively had nausea and vomiting,esophageal foreign body sensation,dizziness,palpitations,pain,bloating,increased facces frequency,fever and other adverse reactions,and the incidence of increased faeces frequency of control group was significantly higher than that of the study group (P＜0.05),but the incidence of other adverse reactions and the total incidence showed no significant difference between two groups (P＞0.05).The rate of rebl eeding was si gni fi cantly lower in the study group at 0.5,1,3,6 and 12 months after treatment than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Endoscopic ligation combined with omeprazole and octreotide was effective in the treatment of esophageal variceal bleeding,which could be effective,rapid hemostasis,reduce the hospital stay,hospitalization cost and rebleeding rate with high safety.

Clinical analysis of early esophageal varices bleeding after endoscopic vari-ces ligation in advanced schistosomiasis patients / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To study the clinical characteristics of early esophageal varices bleeding after endoscopic varices liga-tion EVL in advanced schistosomiasis patients. Methods The data of 206 advanced schistosomiasis patients who received VEL were collected and studied retrospectively. Results There were 17 cases of early esophageal varices bleeding after EVL in-cluding 1 died case the early hemorrhage rate was 8.25% and the mortality rate was 0.5%. The early bleeding occurred from the 4th to 12th day and 76%occurred from the 7th to 9th day postoperatively. The direct cause of hemorrhagic was ligation ring falling off and the inducements were the improper diet 10 cases 58.8% and increased abdominal pressure 6 cases 35% . All the cases of early esophageal varices bleeding occurred in the patients whose liver function being Child-Pugh C. Conclu-sions The incidence and mortality of EVL early postoperative hemorrhage are both low and mostly occur from the 7th to 9th day postoperatively. We should pay attention to the diet and nursing and the patients with Child-Pugh C liver function are the high risk group.

A Case of Rectal Varix Bleeding Treated with Endoscopic Variceal Ligation / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Esophagogastric varices are considered to be the most common complication in patients with portal hypertension. Among ectopic varices, rectal varices are infrequent but potentially serious complication. The etiology and pathogenesis of rectal varices remains controversial. Several kinds of treatment have been performed but standard treatment for rectal varices has not been established. Herein we report a case of rectal varix bleeding treated with endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) and then evaluated by transrectal color doppler ultrasonography.

Comparison of Endoscopic Ligation and Propranolol for the Primary Prevention of Variceal Bleeding / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although there were many studies to prevent recurrent variceal bleeding, studies about primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding have been relatively few. We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) and propranolol therapy for primary prevention. METHODS: 64 patients who underwent EVL or received propranolol for primary prophylaxis were enrolled and these patients were in the state of Child A or B with large varices and/or red markings on varices. We compared the cumulative bleeding-free rate and the survival rate between EVL group (n=40) and propranolol group (n=24) for primary prophylaxis. RESULTS: The Child classification, the size of varices, and the presence of red color sign were not different statistically between both groups. The mean duration of follow-up in each group was 44 18 and 22 12 months, respectively (p=0.023). The cumulative bleeding- free rate was high in EVL group than in propranolol group (p=0.03). The cumulative survival rate was not different statistically between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with high-risk varices, EVL therapy prolonged bleeding-free interval compared with propranolol therapy for the primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding.

Combined Therapy of Endoscopic Variceal Ligation and beta-Blocker for Esophageal Varices / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) has been accepted as safe and useful treatment for esophageal varices. However, the main problem is the recurrence after eradication of varices.beta-blockers have been shown to be effective for prevention of vari-ceal bleeding. We evaluate the efficacy of the combined therapy of EVL and beta-blocker against recurrence of esophageal varices. METHODS: 39 patients followed from October 1992 through February 1998 after eradication of esophageal varices by EVL were divided into two groups: group 1; 20 patients received EVL alone, group 2; 19 patients received EVL and propranolol for follow-up periods. The rate of recurrence and rebleeding were observed in two groups. RESULTS: Follow-up periods in group 1 and 2 after an initial eradication of esophageal varices were 1039.6 (291-1499) and 928.3 (448-1793) days, re-spectively. During follow-up periods, the recurrence rate was lower in group 2 (27.8%) than group 1 (60.0%) (p <0.05). The periods from last session to recurrence were 609.1 (128-1460) and 666.2 (405-1007) days in group 1 and 2, respectively. The rebleeding and mortality rates were 15.0% and 25.0% in group 1. CONCLUSIONS: Combined therapy of EVL and beta-blocker could decrease the recurrence rate after eradication of esophageal varices, as compared with EVL alone. The further large, long-term study should be re-quired.

Esophagus, Stomach & Intestine; Hemostatic Effect of Histoacryl for Band: induced Esophageal Ulcer Bleeding / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic variceal ligation(EVL) is a method to manage esophageal varices bleeding and induces mechanical ligation and strangulation of varices by using elastic O-rings. The lower complication rate seen with EVL compared to sclerotherapy can be explained by the more limited degree of local tissue injury induced by EVL. Only the mucosal and submucosal layers are aspirated into cylinder attachment of the ligating devices, thus limiting injury to these layers. But, sometimes band induced ulcer shows massive bleeding. In these cases, endoscopic therapy is very difficult. This study was performed in order to find out the effectiveness of Histoacryl ingection for band-induced esophageal ulcer bleeding, METHODS: We tried to control band-induced bleeding by injecting Histoacryl in 8 cases of band-induced ulcer bleeding. RESULTS: This therapeutic trials show exellent control of bleeding in all cases without rebleeding. CONCLUSIONS: The cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive Histoacryl(N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate) is a remarkable substance that transforms from its original liquid state into a solid state when mixed with a physiologic medium such as blood. Histoacryl undergoes an instantaneous polymerization reaction and hardens, thereby plugging the varix or bleeding vessel lumen. Rapid hemostasis of an active bleeding occurs and rebleeding of the treated lesion is prevented. We found out that Histoacryl injection is a safe and effective treatment for band-induced ulcer bleeding.

Prophylactic Endoscopic Variceal Ligation Compared with Endoscopic Variceal Ligation for Bleeding Esophageal Varices / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Endoscopic Variceal Ligation(EVL) was developed as an alternative to endoscopic injection sclerotherapy(EIS) for decreasing of complication rate. This new technique involves placement of small elastic O-rings around the variceal channels in the distal esophagus. To evaluate the efficacy of EVL for treatment of the acute bleeding esophagea1 varices and the efficacy of prophylactic EVL, we compared EVL in 88 patients who had recently bled from esophageal varices(Group 1) and prophylactic EVL in 45 patients with large size(Grade 2 or 3 or 4) and red color sign on endoscopic finding who had not previously had upper gastrointestinal bleeding(Group 2). Also, we compared prophylactic EVL group(Group 2) and control group(Group 3) who did not performed EVL. At the time of treatment 28.4%(25/88) of patients had active bleeding. They were all treated acutely with EVL and repeated treatment for the long-term goal of variceal eradication. Initial hemostatic efficacy of EVL for acute bleeding varices was 92%(23/25). Varices were eradicated or reduced to Grade 1 in 68%(17/2S). Early mortality rate within 2 weeks was 8%(2/25). Among patients who had eradicated or reduced to Grade 1 varices by repeated EVL sessions, over a mean follow-up of 11 months there was no difference between Group 1 and Group 2 in recurrent rate(49.1%(27/63) vs. 46.8% (15/32)), rebleeding rate(10.9'Yo (6/55) vs. 9.3% (3/32)), rebleeding interval(average 75 days vs, 83.6 days). There was significant difference between prophylactic EVL group and con- trol group in bleeding rate(9.3%(3/~32) vs. 43.7%(14/32))~(p<0.05). Three patients(6.6%) died in prophylactic EVL group, two from ligation site bleeding of esophageal varix, one from hepatic failure. In conclsion, EVL is an effective method for treatment of acute bleeding esophageal varices with repeated sessions. Although prophylactic EVL can be used to prevent bleeding by eradication with lower initial morbidity are necessary because of EVL-related complications.

Endoscopic Variceal Ligation for Treatment of Esophageal Variceal Bleeding / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Endoscopic variceal ligation(EVL) is newly developed method to manage esophageal variceal bleeding. This study asse initial control rate of active variceal bleeding, incidence of rebleeding and complications in EVL. From June in l992 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 esoyhageal varix and 1 case caused by esophageal ulcer) during follow-up period, 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 period. 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 esaphageal 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. In conclusion, EVL is an effective and safe method of treatment and prevention for esophageal variceal bleeding.

Clinical Significance of Multi - Band Ligation for Esophageal Variceal Bleeding / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Endoscopic esophageal variceal ligation(EVL) was first introduced by Stiegmann and colleagues in 1986, and it has since grown to he became an extremely popular modality throughout the world as well as Korea. Endoseopic variceal ligation(EVL), which consists of mechanical ligation and thrombosis of varices using elastic O-rings, has been recently developed as a non-operative alternative to endapic injection sclerotherapy(EIS). EVL is minimally operator-dependent and is also associated with fewer local and systemic complications than sclerotherapy. However, the conventional device has only one O ring, and thus the inner cylinder has to be exchanged after each ligation, So, it is a time-consurning procedure that requires the use of an overtube which has somtimes caused tearing of the esophageal mucosa. To save time and control variceal bleeding, multi-band ligation(MBL) was developed. These ligators have five or six O rings, and serial ligation is now possible without exchanging the cylinder or withdrawing the endoscope.(continue...)

Prophylactic Endoscopic Variceal Ligation for Esophageal Varices with High - risk of Hemorrhage / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Prophylactic treatment of varices is an appealing concept because 50% of patients who experience variceal bleeding will die within the first 6 weeks of the first bleeding. However, the majority of trials which have evaluated prophylactic therapy gave failed to demonstrate advantage, We tried prophylactic endoscopic variceal ligation(EVL) in 10 patients, to evaluate the safety and effect of prophylactic EVL for esophageal varices with high-risk of hemorrhage. The eradication rate was 100% without bleeding and mortality, the mean session for eradication of varices 1.9, the number of bands per person 16.9 and the number of bands per session 8.9. Although mild chest pain(5.3%) and chest discomfortness(31.6%) were observed, no serious complication related with EVL resulted from 19 EVL sessions. The patients were followed for a mean of 327.0 days(85-708), during which recurrent esophagea1 varices were found in a case at 260 days from last session, but no bleeding nor death was occured. No late complication of EVL was documented. In conclusion, prophylactic EVL is safe and may be effective for esophageal varices with high-risk of hemorrhage. But, the large controlled-trial should be required.

A Novel Method for Overtube Placement in Endoscopic Variceal Ligation / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) is effective for the management of bleeding esophageal varices, and its use is widespread now. EVL necessitates the use of overtubes. Two primary techniques have been used for overtube placement; one is with endoscope, and the other is with bougie dilator. Overtube placement with endoseope is not without risk. There are reportd of esophageal or pharyngeal laceration or perforation. Overtube placement with bougie dilator circumvents this risk, but it is rather cumbersome to use. The authors devised a safe and easy method for overtube placement, and applied it to a number of patients to test its safety and convenience. First, overtube-dilator assembly was prepared as follows. A Rigiflex achalasia dilator (balloon 30mm OD, 10cm length; Microvasive Co) was lubricated and inserted into the overtube. A tenth of the balloon tip was protruded out of the overtube, then the balloon was insufflated with air at 10-15 psi. Second, standard endoscopy was performed, followed by placement of guide wire in the stomach. Overtube-dilator assembly was lubricated and introduced over the wire as a rail. Once the overtube was properly positioned, the balloon was deflated, and the balloon and wire were removed as a whole, which completed overtube placement. For 65 patients with esophageal variceal bleeding, 82 procedures of EVL were performed using the new technique. Overtube-dilator assembly was easy to prepare and handle. This technique added little time to the procedure and minimizes patients discomfort. No patient suffered major complications such as bleeding, laceration or perforation. This novel method for overtube placement was safe and convenient for use in EVL. It can also be applied to other procedures using overtube such as endoscopic foreign body removal.

Five Cases of Polypectomy using Endoscopic " O " -ring Ligation / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Endoscopic polypectomy was firstly introduced by Tsuneoka in 1969, and till now this method has been widely used for the treatment of benign and malignant polyps with the advent of technical improvement. This method is a very important modality as secondary prevention of malignancy because polyps in gastraintestinal tract are now being considered as precancerous lesion. Polypectomy with snare and electrocautery is mainly used for pedunclated polyps (eg. Yamada Class III, IV), but sessile polyps pose technical difficulty and occasionally cause serious gastrointestinal hemorrhage when resection margin adjacent polyp base. We performed polypectomy with "O"-ring used in endocopic variceal ligation (EVL) to make sessile polyp as semipedunclated form, and also to control bleeding, and then successfully remove it with conventional snare polypectomy. We report these 5 cases with the review of the literature.

Endoscopic Variceal Ligation for Treatment of Esophageal Varices / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Endoscopic injection sclerotherapy(EIS) has been widely used in treating and eradicating acutely bleeding esophageal varies, but may be associated with some undesirable local and systemic complications. Endoscopic variceal ligation(EVL), which consists of mechanicai ligation and thrombosis of varices using elastic o-band, has been recently developed as a non operative alternative to EIS. We performed EVL in 65 patients who had bled from esophageal varices between November 1991 and September 1993. Total 274 sessions were performed and 774 o-bands were used. Six patients were actively bleeding and all of them were successfully controlled by emergency EVL. During the follow-up period, five patients who had combined hepatoma died. Varices were eradicated or reduced grade I in 43(71.6%) of the 60 survivals by 8-36 ligations(mean 15.6 ligation) in 2-13 EVL sessions(mean 5.6 sessions). During follow up period, five patients had recurred from grade 0 to grade 2 or 3 in 106-260 days(mean 182.6 days), and then eradicated by repeated EVL. During or after EVL, there were no complications, except mild substernal distress and mild dysphagia in 17 and 7 patients respectively. These results showed that EVL is a safe and effective method for eradication of bleeding esophageal varices.

Clinical Evaluations for Endoscopic Variceal Ligation in Esophageal Varices Bleeding / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Endoscopic injection sclerotherapy(EIS) has been shown to be the most effective simple method for control of bleeding and eradication of varices. This method has been aceepted widely as a standard treatment of bleeding esophageal varices. However, EIS may be associated with undesirable local and systemic complications. (continue...)