Recurrence of varices after oesophageal transection: Intra-operative and postoperative assessment by endoscopy

✍ Scribed by Dr N. Koyanagi; Y. Iso; H. Higashi; S. Kitano; K. Sugimachi

• Book ID: 101748975
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1988
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 313 KB
• Volume: 75
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0007-1323
• DOI: 10.1002/bjs.1800750105

✦ Synopsis

Recurrence of varices after oeso p hagea I t ransect ion: i ntra-operat ive and postoperative assessment by endoscopy

Intra-operative and postoperative endoscopy were used in 16 patients with portal hypertension to investigate whether intra-operative elimination of oesophageal varices by oesophageal transection with devascularization leads to prevention of variceal recurrence and rebleeding. Intra-operative elimination of the varices was achieved in 12 patients. I n ten patients the varices recurred and in two cases rebled, during the follow-up period of 6-43 months (average 25 months). Of the ten patients with recurrent varices, eight (including the two who bled acutely in the postoperative period) successfully underwent endoscopic injection sclerotherapy. Postoperative endoscopy was performed at 5- monthly intervals. I t is concluded that intra-operative elimination of the varices will not prevent recurrence and that a closer follow-up using endoscopy more than three times a year is a signijicant aid in the management of these patients.