ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Eradication of esophagogastric varix is the most important goal of endoscopic variceal treatment. However, the effect of initial ligation numbers with endo-scopic variceal ligation has not been widely studied. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effect of initial ligation numbers on the eradication of esophageal varix. METHODS: The mean number of sessions to variceal eradication was compared according to initial ligation numbers, and varix grade by the North Italian Endoscopy Club, and the Child-Pugh class in 212 patients. Initial ligation numbers were divided into three groups; more than 11, 6 ~10, and fewer than 5. RESULTS: Except with grade I, esophageal varix was eradicated earlier in the two groups of more than 6 ligations (p <0.01). The mean number of sessions in the group of more than 11 ligations was significantly different from that of the group of 6 ~10 ligations in grade II patients (p <0.05). The mean number of sessions was not significantly different when compared by the Child-Pugh class. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that patients with more initial ligation numbers may result in earlier eradication of esophageal varix with endoscopic ligation.