Simple endoscopic injection sclerotherapy of oesophageal varices.

A routine upper gastrointestinal fiberoscope (Olympus GIFK) was used for endoscopic sclerotherapy of varices in 38 patients sedated with I.V. diazepam. It was effective in preventing rebleeding in 30 patients, and greatly reducing the size and number of varices in 31 of the patients. This endoscope needs no additional cuff or sheath for this therapy. It is easier to use and safer than the rigid oesophagoscope. Sodium tetradecyl sulphate is as effective as ethanolamine oleate as a sclerosant and causes no chest pain. Four patients developed a fibrotic lower oesophageal stricture. One patient developed an intramural haematoma that was followed by bacteraemia and death.