COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN SCLEROTHERAPY AND BAND LIGATION FOR ESOPHAGEAL VARICES IN PATIENTS WITH PORTAL HYPERTENSION

Abstract

Bleeding. from esophageal varices is a major complication of portal hypertension and carries an extremely high mortality rate. Different endoscopic modalities were developed each carrying its own benefits and potential risks. The aim of the present work, therefore, was to assess a long term comparative study between endoscopic injection sclerotherapy and variceal band ligation as regards the following; safety, simplicity, efficacy, rebleeding. variceal recurrence, morbidity, mortality and complications. To achieve this goal, 100 patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis and esophageal varices recognized during endoscopy were included in the present study and were classified into 2 groups: Group I: Included 50 patients. They were subjected to variceal band ligation (VBL). Group II: Included 50 patients. They were subjected to endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS). All patients were evaluated clinically and biochemically and the severity of liver disease was graded according to Child-Pugh scoring system. Endoscopic examination focused on variceal features including grade,