Effectiveness of endoscopic treatments for colonic diverticular bleeding

Several endoscopic modalities have been used for the treatment of colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of endoscopic treatment for CDB.

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the English literature. Main outcomes were initial hemostasis, early recurrent bleeding (recurrent bleeding within 30 days after endoscopic treatment), and need for transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) or surgery. Proportions were collected from each study and were used to calculate pooled estimates. Heterogeneity was evaluated by I².

Sixteen studies (384 patients with CDB) were included. Pooled estimates of initial hemostasis were coagulation, 1.00 (95% CI, .91-1.00) (I² = .0%); clipping, .99 (95% CI, .97-1.00) (I² = .0%); and ligation, .99 (95% CI, .95-1.00) (I² = .0%). Pooled estimates of early recurrent bleeding were coagulation, .21(95% CI, .01-.51) (I² = 61.2%); clipping, .19 (95% CI, .07-.35) (I² = 77.3%); and ligation, .09 (95% CI, .04-.15) (I² = .0%). Pooled estimates of need for TAE or surgery were coagulation, .18 (95% CI, .00-.61) (I² = 68.9%); clipping, .08 (95% CI, .03-.16) (I² = 36.8%); and ligation, .00 (95% CI, .00-.01) (I² = .0%). The proportion of need for TAE or surgery in the ligation group was significantly lower than that in the clipping group (P = .003) and marginally lower than in the coagulation group (P = .086). No significant difference was found between coagulation and clipping groups (P = .44).

Ligation therapy was more effective compared with clipping to avoid TAE or surgery. Coagulation, clipping, and ligation were equivocal in terms of effectiveness for initial hemostasis and preventing early recurrent bleeding.