Abstract

Background
/Aims: Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) has been accepted as safe and useful treatment for esophageal varices. However, the main problem is the recurrence after eradication of varices.β-blockers have been shown to be effective for prevention of vari-ceal bleeding. We evaluate the efficacy of the combined therapy of EVL and β-blocker against recurrence of esophageal varices. Methods: 39 patients followed from October 1992 through February 1998 after eradication of esophageal varices by EVL were divided into two groups: group 1; 20 patients received EVL alone, group 2; 19 patients received EVL and propranolol for follow-up periods. The rate of recurrence and rebleeding were observed in two groups. Results: Follow-up periods in group 1 and 2 after an initial eradication of esophageal varices were 1039.6 (291-1499) and 928.3 (448-1793) days, re-spectively. During follow-up periods, the recurrence rate was lower in group 2 (27.8%) than group 1 (60.0%) (p ＜0.05). The periods from last session to recurrence were 609.1 (128-1460) and 666.2 (405-1007) days in group 1 and 2, respectively. The rebleeding and mortality rates were 15.0% and 25.0% in group 1. Conclusions: Combined therapy of EVL and β-blocker could decrease the recurrence rate after eradication of esophageal varices, as compared with EVL alone. The further large, long-term study should be re-quired.(Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 19: 165 ∼170, 1999)

• Keywords: Esophageal varices, EVL,β-blocker, Recurrence