Endoscopic variceal ligation is a sufficient procedure for the treatment of oesophageal varices in patients with hepatitis C liver cirrhosis: Comparison with injection sclerotherapy

Aims: Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) is a recently developed alternativ e to endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) for the treatment of oesophag eal varices. Endoscopic variceal ligation and EIS were compared in an attem pt to clarify the efficacy and safety of EVL for patients with cirrhosis du e to hepatitis C. Methods: Endoscopic variceal ligation was performed in 60 patients and EIS in 30. Varices were eradicated in all patients by EVL and 87% (26 out of 30 ) by EIS. Results: There was no significant difference between EVL and EIS in relatio n to the incidence of bleeding and the 5 year survival rate after treatment . There were no severe complications except mild substernal pain after EVL, while pulmonary embolism occurred in one patient receiving EIS. Conclusions: Endoscopic variceal ligation is a safe and effective technique for eradicating oesophageal varices in patients with hepatitis C cirrhosis .