[Treatment of esophageal varices using Murphy device (author's transl)]

Bleeding esophageal varices in 7 children (5 with extra-hepatic obstruction and 2 with intra-hepatic obstruction) were treated by ligation of the esophagus on a Murphy button. Two patients died, one presenting mesenteric infarction following splenectomy, the other due to mismanagement of post-operative esophagus stenosis. Among the 5 surviving patients, the fact that no recurrent bleeding was noted and the complete disappearance of varices on X ray and endoscopy with a 2-6/12 year follow up demonstrate the efficiency of this treatment. The authors stress upon the precautions enabling to reduce the morbidity of this procedure (esophageal stenosis) giving otherwise good result in the management of bleeding esophageal varices in children.