[Sclerotherapy of esophageal varices]

The first published report on sclerotherapy of esophageal varices appeared 50 years ago, but it is during the last decade that its use has generalized. The indications, technique, site of injection and type of substance used have changed in the last years. At the present time it is accepted that it is effective for the control of acute bleeding from variceal rupture and it is probably the procedure of choice in this situation. The present tendency is to continue to sclerosis after the acute bleeding. Sclerotherapy of patients that have never bled is still controversial, it is necessary to establish parameters that may permit the identification of patients with risk of bleeding in whom prophylactic sclerotherapy would be justified.