Results in 100 consecutive patients with stapled esophageal transection for varices

Esophageal stapled transection has a role as an elective procedure in patients with varices who are unsuitable for shunt procedures, namely, the elderly, patients with Child's grade C, diabetics, patients with schistosomiasis and those with previous encephalopathy. It is effective in reducing variceal bleeding in the short term, although increasing rebleeding rates with longer follow-up periods are envisaged. When the alternative of injection sclerotherapy is available, there is probably little place for emergency transection in view of the high hospital mortality. A prospective randomized trial comparing chronic injection with esophageal transection is required.