Clinical Significance of Multi - Band Ligation for Esophageal Variceal Bleeding

Shim, Chan Sup; Lee, Joon Seong; Lee, Moon Sung; Cho, Joo Young; Cho, Young Deok; Lee, Young Hong; Bong, Hyung Keun; Kim, Jin Oh; Kim, Yun Soo; Hwang, Seong Gyu

Abstract

Endoscopic esophageal variceal ligation(EVL) was first introduced by Stiegmann and colleagues in 1986, and it has since grown to he became an extremely popular modality throughout the world as well as Korea. Endoseopic variceal ligation(EVL), which consists of mechanical ligation and thrombosis of varices using elastic O-rings, has been recently developed as a non-operative alternative to endapic injection sclerotherapy(EIS). EVL is minimally operator-dependent and is also associated with fewer local and systemic complications than sclerotherapy. However, the conventional device has only one O ring, and thus the inner cylinder has to be exchanged after each ligation, So, it is a time-consurning procedure that requires the use of an overtube which has somtimes caused tearing of the esophageal mucosa. To save time and control variceal bleeding, multi-band ligation(MBL) was developed. These ligators have five or six O rings, and serial ligation is now possible without exchanging the cylinder or withdrawing the endoscope.(continue...)