Endoscopic treatment of esophageal varicose veins
Varicose veins of the esophagus – a pathological condition associated with excessive expansion of the vessels located in the submucosal layer of the esophagus. It develops with increased pressure in the venous system of the abdominal cavity and is most often associated with chronic liver diseases and cirrhosis.
Despite the high level of modern medical development, the problem of timely diagnosis, treatment and prevention of bleeding from esophageal varicose veins remains one of the most urgent in hepatology. This is due to the extremely high mortality rate after the first episode of bleeding, which reaches 70%.
Naturally, any disease is easier to treat before complications occur.
The only reliable way to diagnose esophageal varicose veins is an endoscopic examination of the esophagus and stomach (gastroscopy), which patients with chronic liver diseases should undergo at least 2 times a year.
In case of detection of esophageal varicose veins, your doctor will offer you a low-traumatic method of treatment and prevention of bleeding – endoscopic ligation (ligation) of esophageal varicose veins.
The essence of the method is that using a special device, large dilated veins are pulled over with a rubber ring. This interrupts the abnormal blood flow and reduces the risk of bleeding.
Over time, the bandaged knot disappears on its own and the area of the operation completely heals with the formation of a gentle scar. The study itself is carried out in a state of drug-induced sleep, which eliminates unpleasant sensations during its execution. After the operation, you may feel only moderate discomfort behind the sternum. The next day, the doctor can already let you go home.
The main advantages of endoscopic ligation of esophageal varicose veins:
- it is a low-traumatic intervention
- allows you to quickly achieve the desired effect
- the procedure is easily transferred
- reduced hospital stay time
Despite the low traumatic nature of the intervention, it can not be performed on an outpatient basis, since patients need to be monitored on the day of surgery and after it. In the postoperative period, it is necessary to follow the recommendations on nutrition, lifestyle and taking medications, which the doctor will discuss with you individually.
Recall that even after the treatment, only regular endoscopic examination (gastroscopy) every 6 months allows you to assess the dynamics of the progression of the disease and to anticipate the threat of repeated varicose veins of the esophagus and the development of bleeding. Only a regular examination allows you to perform the second or third stage of vein ligation in time, if necessary.
It is important to note that endoscopic ligation of esophageal varicose veins is not a treatment for the underlying liver disease, but only prevents the development of serious complications. The Department of Chronic Liver Diseases works closely with the Department of Endoscopic Surgery, providing continuity of treatment, as a comprehensive approach to the treatment of complications of cirrhosis increases survival and improves the quality of life of patients.
