INJECTION SCLEROTHERAPY OF BLEEDING GASTRIC VARICES USING ABSOLUTE ALCOHOL

Abstract

Objectives:

Material and methods:

Results:

Conclusion:

Sclerotherapy with absolute alcohol may be effective in achieving hemostasis in bleeding

gastric varices but with exceptionally high rate of complications.

Fifteen (55.56%) patients were male and 12 (44.44%) were female with a mean age of

47.52+15.09 years. Twenty one (77.78%) patients had cirrhosis due to chronic hepatitis C, 4 (14.81%)

were HBV related while 2 (7.40%) had alcoholic liver disease. Majority (70.73%) had child's class C

followed by B and A (18.51% and 11.11% respectively). Variceal eradication was achieved in 19(70.37%)

patients. Three were lost to follow up while 5 died due to uncontrolled bleeding. Post sclerotheraphy

ulceration was the most common complication (64%) followed by pyrexia (28%), Retrosternal/epigastric

pain (16%) and dysphagia (8%).

This descriptive study was conducted in the department of Gastroenterology,

Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar from September 2006 to September 2009. Twenty Seven patients

with portal hypertension fulfilling the inclusion criteria and consenting were included in the study.

Endoscopy was arranged within 12 hours of admission to the hospital. The gastric varices were injected

with 5-10 ml of absolute alcohol depending upon the size of the varices. Both intravariceal and

paravariceal techniques were used. Subsequent endoscopy sessions were arranged at 2 weeks intervals.

The outcomes assessed were variceal eradication, rebleed and death. Findings were noted and entered into

a structured proforma. Data was analyzed using SPSSv.10.

To evaluate the effectiveness of absolute alcohol injection in the management of bleeding

gastric varices.