[Sclerosing therapy: technique, indications, results].

Abstract

During the last fifteen years, endoscopic sclerotherapy has been established for the treatment of bleeding esophageal varices. However, many technical questions such as the type of sclerosing agent and the site and schedule of injection still exist and require analysis by controlled trials. Endoscopic sclerotherapy has been proven effective for the treatment of acute bleeding and for the prevention of variceal rebleeding. Improvement of survival by sclerotherapy for the prevention of rebleeding, however, is debated. Several controlled trials demonstrate that there is no indication whatsoever for the use of endoscopic sclerotherapy as primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in patients who have not bled before.