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Oesophageal varices: prophylactic treatment?
R N Zeijen1, J A Flendrig, J P van Spreeuwel
1Vakgroep Interne Geneeskunde, Academisch Ziekenhuis Maastricht.
Abstract:
Oesophageal varices: prophylactic treatment? Patients with oesophageal varices as a result of liver cirrhosis are at risk of bleeding from these varices. Because of the high mortality, specially from the first variceal haemorrhage, it would seem justified to pose the question: does prophylactic treatment of oesophageal varices reduce the risk of bleeding and improve life expectancy? A review of the literature shows that until now no mode of prophylactic therapy has succeeded in accomplishing these goals. It is not, therefore, possible at this time to advise the use of prophylactic treatment of oesophageal varices as a routine therapy.