[Effect of endoscopic sclerotherapy with esophageal varices on esophageal motility]

We investigated esophageal motility in 12 patients with esophageal varices by esophagography, scintigraphy and manometry before and after endoscopic sclerotherapy. In the manometric study, the appearance rates of the primary wave and the deglutitive relaxation decreased gradually after sclerotherapy, and the former improved within 3 months after discharge, while the latter tended to have a prolonged recovery period. The pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter was not significantly different before and after sclerotherapy. The length of the lower esophageal high pressure zone was greater than normal range before sclerotherapy, but it gradually shortened after sclerotherapy and improved by 3 months after sclerotherapy. The inducing rates of gastroesophageal reflux by abdominal compression was significantly higher at 3 months after sclerotherapy than before. In radiologic study, the esophageal transit time tended to prolong early after sclerotherapy, and it improved only slowly. We concluded that we need contrive to prevent from motility disorder of esophagus at the time of endoscopic sclerotherapy for patients with esophageal varices.