Endoscopic sclerotherapy of bleeding oesophageal varices in Jamaica.

The results of oesophageal sclerotherapy (OS) in 18 patients with recurrent bleeding varices are compared with 15 patients treated medically. The total transfusion requirement pre-sclerotherapy was 112 units of blood (mean 6/patient) which decreased to 46 units (mean 2.5) after sclerotherapy treatment was started (p = 0.005). In the medically treated group, total transfusion was 74 units (mean 5 units/patient). One hundred and forty-three injection sclerotherapy sessions were given, and all but one patient had significant reduction or eradication of varices. Three patients died of recurrent bleeding (17%) and one other required surgery. In the medically treated group, 3 patients died of bleeding (20%). Complications of sclerotherapy included mild bleeding (39%), chest pain (28%) and oesophageal ulcer (5.5%). OS reduces transfusion requirements in patients with recurrent variceal bleeding.