ENDOSCOPIC INJECTION THERAPY OF BLEEDING ULCER - A PROSPECTIVE AND RANDOMIZED COMPARISON OF ADRENALINE ALONE OR WITH POLIDOCANOL

In a prospective randomized trial involving 63 patients with bleeding peptic ulcer, we assessed whether the addition of 1% polidocanol impro ved the results achieved by 1/10(4) adrenaline alone for injection the rapy. The inclusion criterion was the presence of active arterial blee ding or a nonbleeding visible vessel at emergency endoscopy. Thirty pa tients were treated with 1/10(4) adrenaline (group A) and 33 with adre naline plus 1% polidocanol (group B). Initial hemostasis was achieved in 97% of cases in both groups and permanent hemostasis in 87% patient s in group A and in 76% in group B (p = NS). Mortality was 6% in group A and 3% in group B. There were no differences between the two groups regarding requirements for emergency surgery, the number of transfusi ons, or the length of hospital stay. One patient in group B had a perf oration. No other relevant complications were noted. In conclusion, co mbined therapy does not improve the results achieved with adrenaline a lone.