Injection sclerotherapy in the emergency and elective treatment of oesophageal varices.

Injection sclerotherapy with careful attention to initial diagnosis and technique is an effective way of stopping oesophageal variceal bleeding. It can also be used electively at 3-monthly intervals to obliterate varices after they have once bled. It is relatively safe and simple, but patients must be follwed up and reassessed at least every 6 months, when new varices may be injected if they occur. It is particularly suitable when the experience and facilities for emergency portacaval shunts are not available.