[Endoscopic sclerosing for hemorrhage due to ruptured esophageal varices. Results of a prospective study of 50 cases].

A prospective evaluation of sclerotherapy for bleeding esophageal varices has been conducted in 50 unselected consecutive patients. According to Child's classification, 36% were class A, 34% class B and 30% class C. Sclerotherapy was performed on an emergency basis in 22 patients and was delayed a few hours for the others. The aim of the technique was to obliterate the varices by intra- and paravariceal injections of polidocanol 1%. Injections were performed weekly for the first 3 weeks of treatment, then 3- or 6-monthly. Four patients had a severe recurrent hemorrhage during the first month. The mortality during that period was 12%. Follow-up was possible in 81% of the surviving patients. Four stenoses were treated by dilatation. Four patients had a late-recurring hemorrhage which was easily controlled in 3. Four patients died later, 3 of liver insufficiency and one of hemorrhage.