Efficacy of endoscopic variceal ligation and sclerotheraphy in treatment of acute variceal bleeding

Introduction: Variceal bleeding is a major complication of portal hypertension contributing substantially to morbidity and mortality in this group of patients (pts). Endoscopic sclerothrapy (Scl) and variceal ligation (EVL) are established therapeutic modalities of acute variceal bleeding. Whether one of these treatment options is superior, compared to the other in the setting of acute variceal bleeding is under debate. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the efficacy of EVL and Scl in pts with their first variceal bleeding episode. Patients and methods: During one year (2006), 26 pts with alcohol…