[Outcomes of endoscopic gluing with cyanoacrylate glue of bleeding gastric varices]

ABSTRACT

Gastric variceal bleeding is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Its optimal treatment is not yet standardized and glue injection is the most often proposed treatment. The longterm results of this technique are still controversial. To assess the safety and efficacy of gastric variceal glue injection. Consecutive patients that underwent glue injection for gastric variceal bleeding in our endoscopy unit, from January 2000 to August 2011, were assessed. Sixteen patients [9 men, 7 women] underwent cyanoacrylate glue injections for gastric variceal bleeding. The median follow-up period of 13 patients was 33 months [three were lost to follow-up]. The average age was 60 years [3 - 80 years]. All patients had stigmata of recent bleeding at endoscopy. Patients underwent an average of 2 gluing sessions [1-3 sessions]. N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate [Histoacryl [registered sign]] was the most often product used. No significant complications from cyanoacrylate injection were observed. No patient had a recurrent variceal bleeding. During the median follow-up period, two patients died. Our data suggest that cyanoacrylate injection therapy is safe and effective for the prevention of short- and long-term bleeding from gastric varices