Acute and chronic management of esophageal varices by injection sclerotherapy

Of 29 consecutive patients with acute bleeding from esophageal varices, 27 were treated by injection sclerotherapy. Bleeding was controlled by injection in 25 patients. Long term injection therapy was undertaken in these 25 patients. Obliteration of the varices was achieved in five, two of whom had re-canalization and rebleeding. Patent varices remained in 20 patients, with 11 instances of rebleeding and seven deaths due to hemorrhage. All patients with alcoholic cirrhosis had rebled while receiving long term injection sclerotherapy.