Evaluation of a non-shunting operation by measurement of the blood flow velocity using transendoscopic microvascular Doppler sonography for esophageal and gastric varices.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether transendoscopic microvascular Doppler sonography (EMDS) is useful to analyze Hassab's operation and esophageal transection (non-shunting operation) which are effective for patients with esophagogastric varices. Twenty patients with esophagogastric varices were examined. Before the operation, we examined the conditions of the esophagogastric varices and measured the velocity of the varices with EMDS. The blood flow velocity in the largest varices (F3) was significantly higher than that in the straight varices (F1). After the operation, the esophageal and gastric variceal blood flow velocities were markedly decreased in 15 patients. In five of the patients who received Hassab's operation, the esophageal variceal form and blood flow velocity still remained. After endoscopic injection sclerotherapy, the velocity and form were completely resolved. The non-shunting operation is effective therapy in the esophageal and gastric varices. It is concluded that EMDS is a non-invasive method and it appears to be very useful for the evaluation of the non-shunting operation.