Sclerosis of Fundic Varices. Experience in a Reference Center in the South West of Colombia, 2011-2017

Abstract

Treatment of variceal bleeding in the esophagus and fundus is a clinic challenge which sometimes leads to seeking alternative management for this type of patients. This study was carried out to make known the demographic characteristics of patients with gastric varices with or without the presence of esophageal varices that were taken to cyanocrylate sclerotherapy (CYP). Endoscopic findings, outcomes and complications are described. Data used to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the procedure in the management of patients with or without active variceal bleeding. This observational descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study included patients with manifest portal hypertension with esophageal and fundic varices, a total of 132 sclerotherapy procedures with cyanoacrylate mixed with lipiodol.We included 132 records of sclerotherapy with CYA, with equal gender distribution. Esophageal varices were found in 90.2% (119 records). In 31 procedures the indication was emergency bleeding (23.5%), of these 7 had CP-A, 12 CP-B, 0 CP-C and 12 without data. Out of the 101 elective interventions, 34 had CP-A, 24 CP-B, 6 CP-C and 37 without data, with no significant differences between groups (p value = 0.1). Homeostasis was achieved in 100% of patients with active bleeding. Varice sclerosis was successful with a single puncture in 81.1%, two punctures in 13.6% and three or more in 5.3% of the procedures. There were no complications in any of the patients, nor damage in the equipment used. In conclusión Endoscopic obliteration of fundic varices with CYP was safe and effective in the treatment of upper gastric variceal bleeding, without clinical complications in the procedure or damage to the endoscopic equipment used.