Sclerotherapy after variceal hemorrhage in noncirrhotic portal fibrosis.

Sixty patients with variceal bleeding due to noncirrhotic portal fibrosis were treated by repeated endoscopic injection sclerotherapy. During each session, the varices were injected with a mean volume of 14.4 ml of 1% polidocanol intravariceally. This decreased rebleeding, as evidenced by a reduction in mean bleeding risk factor and transfusion requirement. Difference between pre- and post-sclerotherapy parameters were significant (p less than 0.001). Variceal obliteration was achieved in 53 (88%) patients. The mean sclerotherapy sessions required for eradication were 8.43 (SD = 2.41). Minor complications related to the procedure occurred in 12% of patients. Cumulative survival for 5 yr was 86%. Survival was significantly related to Child's status, being 97.5% for Child's A and 64% for Child's B patients. Recurrence of varices occurred in 15% of patients after a mean interval of 19 months. We conclude that endoscopic sclerotherapy is an effective method of treatment for variceal bleeding due to non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis, and is a reasonable alternative to surgery.