Sclerotherapy of oesophageal varices after variceal haemorrhage

Fifty-six patients with recent variceal haemorrhage were studied in a trial of repeated injection sclerotherapy through the flexible oesophagoscope, with a mean follow-up of 15.2 months (1-39). Twenty-five patients (45%) did not suffer further bleedings. The risk of bleeding per patient-month of follow-up decreased significantly (p less than 0.05) after starting therapy, in all groups of cirrhosis, classified according to Child's criteria. Mortality during the study period was 39% (19.6% due to recurrence of variceal bleeding). The main complications of the procedure were the development of oesophageal wall ulcerations and oesophageal stricture.