Endoscopic band ligation or endoscopic tissue adhesive injection in the treatment of gastric varices: Which is better?

The combination of endoscopic ultrasound with endoscopic treatment of type 1 gastric variceal hemorrhage may improve the robustness and generalizability of the findings in future studies. Moreover, the esophageal varices should also be included in the evaluation of treatment efficacy in subsequent studies to reach a more convincing conclusion.

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of endoscopic band ligation in the treatment of bleeding from mild to moderate gastric varices type 1.

BACKGROUND: According to practice guidelines, endoscopic band ligation (EBL) and endoscopic tissue adhesive injection (TAI) are recommended for treating bleeding from esophagogastric varices. However, EBL and TAI are known to cause serious complications, such as hemorrhage from dislodged ligature rings caused by EBL and hemorrhage from operation-related ulcers resulting from TAI. However, the optimal therapy for mild to moderate type 1 gastric variceal hemorrhage (GOV1) has not been determined. Therefore, the aim of this study was to discover an individualized treatment for mild to moderate GOV1. AIM: To compare the efficacy, safety and costs of EBL and TAI for the treatment of mild and moderate GOV1. METHODS: A clinical analysis of the data retrieved from patients with mild or moderate GOV1 gastric varices who were treated under endoscopy was also conducted. Patients were allocated to an EBL group or an endoscopic TAI group. The differences in the incidence of varicose relief, operative time, operation success rate, mortality rate within 6 wk, rebleeding rate, 6-wk operation-related ulcer healing rate, complication rate and average operation cost were compared between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: The total effective rate of the two treatments was similar, but the efficacy of EBL (66.7%) was markedly better than that of TAI (39.2%) (P < 0.05). The operation success rate in both groups was 100%, and the 6-wk mortality rate in both groups was 0%. The average operative time (26 min) in the EBL group was significantly shorter than that in the TAI group (46 min) (P < 0.01). The rate of delayed postoperative rebleeding in the EBL group was significantly lower than that in the TAI group (11.8% vs 45.1%) (P < 0.01). At 6 wk after the operation, the healing rate of operation-related ulcers in the EBL group was 80.4%, which was significantly greater than that in the TAI group (35.3%) (P < 0.01). The incidence of postoperative complications in the two groups was similar. The average cost and other related economic factors were greater for the EBL than for the TAI (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: For mild to moderate GOV1, patients with EBL had a greater one-time varix eradication rate, a greater 6-wk operation-related ulcer healing rate, a lower delayed rebleeding rate and a lower cost than patients with TAI.

Pre-emptive TIPS for the treatment of bleeding from gastric fundal varices: Results of a randomised controlled trial.

Background & Aims: Bleeding from gastric fundal varices (isolated gastric varices type 1/gastroesophageal varices type 2) represents a major problem because of a high incidence of rebleeding and death with standard-of-care therapy (endoscopic obliteration with tissue adhesives plus pharmacological therapy). Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPSs) are recommended as a rescue therapy. Pre-emptive 'early' TIPS (pTIPS) significantly improves control of bleeding and survival in patients at high-risk of dying or rebleeding from esophageal varices. Methods: This randomised controlled trial investigate whether the use of pTIPS improves rebleeding-free survival in patients with gastric fundal varices (isolated gastric varices type 1 and/or gastroesophageal varices type 2) compared with standard therapy. Results: The study did not achieve the predefined sample size because of low recruitment. Nevertheless, pTIPS (n = 11) was more effective compared with combined endoscopic and pharmacological therapy (n = 10) in improving rebleeding-free survival (per protocol analysis: 100 vs. 28%; p = 0.017). This was mainly because of a better outcome in patients with Child-Pugh B or C scores. There were no differences in serious adverse events or in the incidence of hepatic encephalopathy among the different cohorts. Conclusion: The use of pTIPS should be considered in patients with Child-Pugh B or C scores bleeding from gastric fundal varices. Impact and implications: The first-line treatment of gastric fundal varices (GOV2 and/or IGV1) is the combination of pharmacological therapy and endoscopic obliteration with glue. TIPS is considered the main rescue therapy. Recent data suggest that, in patients at high-risk of dying or rebleeding (Child-Pugh C or B scores + active bleeding at endoscopy) from esophageal varices, the use of pTIPS, performed during the first 72 h from admission, results in an increased rate of control of bleeding and survival compared with combined endoscopic and pharmacological therapy. Herein, we present a randomised controlled trial comparing pTIPS with combined endoscopic (injection of glue) and pharmacological therapy (first, somatostatin or terlipressin; carvedilol after discharge) in the treatment of patients bleeding from GOV2 and/or IGV1. Although we were not able to include the calculated sample size because of the scarcity of these patients, our results show that the use of pTIPS is associated with a significantly higher actuarial rebleeding-free survival when analysed as per protocol. This is because of the greater efficacy of this treatment in patients with Child-Pugh B or C scores.

A Retrospective Analysis of the Efficacy of Endoscopic Variceal Ligation versus Endoscopic Tissue Adhesive Injection in the Treatment of Esophagogastric Variceal Bleeding.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) and endoscopic tissue adhesive injection (TAI) in the treatment of esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EVB). METHODS: A total of 245 patients with EVB who attended the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College from December 2017 to June 2021 were retrospectively collected. The participants were divided into the esophageal EVL (E-EVL) + gastric EVL (G-EVL) group (n = 103) and E-EVL + gastric TAI (G-TAI) group (n = 142), according to the procedure, comparing and assessing the clinical characteristics, laboratory results, operation time, rebleeding rate, efficacy, and complications. RESULTS: The E-EVL + G-EVL group had significantly less varicose vein diameter and operative time than the E-EVL + G-TAI group (p < 0.05). No statistical difference in the length of hospital stay between the two groups was noted (p > 0.05). The total rebleeding rate in the E-EVL + G-EVL group was 9.7%, whereas that of the E-EVL + G-TAI group was 11.9%; no statistical difference between the two groups was noted (p > 0.05). The overall effective rate of the E-EVL + G-EVL group was 90.21%, whereas that of the E-EVL + G-TAI group was 92.81%; no statistical difference between the two groups was observed (p > 0.05). The postoperative ulcer in the E-EVL + G-EVL group was smaller and more superficial than that in the E-EVL + G-TAI group, and the wound surface was smoother. CONCLUSION: Both EVL and TAI have good therapeutic effects on EVB. Furthermore, owing to its effectiveness in preventing rebleeding, no reduction in efficacy and no increase in complications, shortened operative time, smaller and superficial ulcer, and smoother wounds, gastric EVL is worthy of further clinical promotion.

Comparative analysis of endoscopic ligation and tissue adhesive injection for tortuous gastric varices / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective:To evaluate the risks and benefits of endoscopic ligation and tissue adhesive injection for tortuous gastric varices.Methods:A total of 193 patients with esophagogastric varices, who underwent endoscopic variceal ligation or endoscopic tissue adhesive injection in Department of Gastroenterology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from June 2015 to June 2020, were included in the retrospective analysis. These cases were connected vessels (type Le and gf based on LDRf standard) of tortuous gastric varices (F1 in Hashizume standard). According to the treatment, the patients were divided into three groups: gastric fundus and esophageal ligation group (endoscopic ligation of gastric fundus and esophageal varices, 32 cases), tissue adhesive group (endoscopic tissue adhesive injection of gastric varices, endoscopic ligation of esophageal varices, 71 cases) and esophageal ligation group (endoscopic ligation of esophageal varices, 90 cases). The re-bleeding rate, the effectiveness rate, the significant effectiveness rate and complications of the three groups were compared.Results:The rates of re-bleeding in gastric fundus and esophageal ligation group, tissue adhesive group and esophageal ligation group were 18.75% (6/32), 12.68% (9/71) and 3.33% (3/90), respectively.There was significant difference only between gastric fundus and esophageal ligation group and esophageal ligation group ( χ2=6.110, P<0.016). The effectiveness rates of the three groups were all 100.00%. The significant effectiveness rates in gastric fundus and esophageal ligation group, tissue adhesive group and esophageal ligation group were 37.50% (12/32), 25.35% (18/71) and 14.44% (13/90), respectively. There was significant difference only between gastric fundus and esophageal ligation group and esophageal ligation group ( χ2=7.702, P<0.016). No pulmonary infection, hepatic encephalopathy, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis or perforation occurred in the three groups.The incidences of chest pain or abdominal pain in gastric fundus and esophageal ligation group, tissue adhesive group and esophageal ligation group were 18.75% (6/32), 11.27% (8/71) and 2.22% (2/90), respectively.There was significant difference only between gastric fundus and esophageal ligation group and esophageal ligation group ( χ2=10.524, P<0.016). There was no significant difference in the incidence of fever, nausea or vomiting among the three groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Simultaneous endoscopic ligation of gastric fundus and esophageal varices, and endoscopic tissue adhesive injection of gastric varices combined with endoscopic ligation of esophageal varices is of no benefit for patients with tortuous gastric varices, but endoscopic ligation of esophageal varices alone may yield more benefit.

Evaluation of the efifcacy of endoscopic tissue adhesive injection in treatment of gastric varices bleeding from liver cirrhosis / 中国内镜杂志

Astract: Objective To explore the efifcacy and safety of endoscopic tissue adhesive injection in treatment of gastric variceal bleeding from liver cirrhosis.Methods Object of study are 92 cirrhotic patients (72 male/20 female) in hospital, who had been diagnosed with gastric varices bleeding from June 2014 to May 2016. Child-Pugh score at presentation for cirrhotic patients was A-28; B-36; C-28. According to endoscopic classiifcation of gastric varices, GEV1 were detected in 80 patients, GEV2 in 12. All patients were treated with endoscopic hypertonic glucose tissue adhesive ‘sandwich’ injection.Result Successful injection rate was 100.0% in 92 patients, among which 40 patients had accepted emergency endoscopic treatment and the immediate hemostasis rate was 100.0%. 65 patients were Having gastroscope review after the injection six months, 22 patients were significantly effective, accounting for 33.8%; 38 patients were effective, accounting for 58.4%; 5 patients were invalid, accounting for 7.7%. All the patients were followed up in 1 to 24 months. The late-rebleeding rate was 2.2%. None of them were having early-rebleeding or dead; Complications the incidence of rebleeding rate which caused by removing the needles which trapped in the varices was 2.2%. The incidence of chest pain rate was 4.3%, the bloating rate was 6.5% and the ulceration rate was 15.2%. There was no complications like fever, infection, stomachache, embolism and so on.Conclusion With low rebleeding rate and light side-effect, endoscopic tissue adhesive injection in the treatment of gastric variceal bleeding caused by cirrhosis portal hypertension has really good effect.