[How should treatment of esophageal varices proceed?]

The authors submit their experience and data from the literature on the problem of oesophageal varices. In haemorrhage of varices at present the most successful procedure is endoscopic haemostasis concurrently with intensive treatment focused on the basic disease and replacement of blood losses. In patients with a history of haemorrhage from varices endoscopic sclerotization is generally recommended. The authors supplement it with the promising medicamentous reduction of the portal pressure. Other procedures, i.e. surgery, are indicated only in a minority of patients whose varices do not reposed to haemostasis and medicamentous reduction of high portal pressure. The problem how to proceed in varices which did not bleed so far is still unresolved. The authors recommend individual evaluation and submit their own procedure.