Endoscopic ligation of esophageal varices

Endoscopic variceal ligation was developed to provide a safe alternative to conventional injection sclerotherapy which is known to be associated with a substantial incidence of non-bleeding treatment related complications. Laboratory studies in portal hypertensive dogs have shown the technique results in obliteration of vascular structures in the submucosa by scar tissue formation. The clinical technique of endoscopic ligation is performed in the endoscopy suite or intensive care unit in a fashion similar to endoscopic sclerotherapy except an endoscopic overtube is routinely employed. Initial single arm trials of endoscopic ligation in 146 consecutive patients showed the technique to be effective for control of active bleeding and eradication of varices while being associated with a low incidence of non-bleeding complications. Endoscopic ligation has been investigated in three additional single arm trials and is currently under investigation in three prospective randomized studies comparing the technique with sclerotherapy. Data from these studies have confirmed that endoscopic ligation is at least equal to sclerotherapy for treatment of actively bleeding varices and prevention of recurrent bleeding. The new technique appears to result in a significantly lower risk of non-bleeding treatment related complications than conventional sclerotherapy.