Transabdominal Gastroesophageal Devascularization With Versus Without Esophageal Stapler Transection In The Control Of Variceal Bleeding In Cirrhotic Patients

AimThe aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of adding esophageal transection to the devascularization operation in controlling variceal bleeding.Patients and methodsA total of 115 patients with acute variceal bleeding who finally needed surgery were included in this study. They were divided into two groups: group I included 32 patients who underwent transabdominal gastroesophageal devascularization and esophageal transection and group II included 83 patients who underwent transabdominal gastroesophageal devascularization only. Survivors were followed up for at least 3 years by endoscopy to check for recurrence of esophageal varices.ResultsThe incidence of early bleeding, residual varices, and recurrent varices was significantly lower in group I than in group II and there was no statistically significant difference in both early and late morbidity and mortality between the two groups.ConclusionEsophageal stapling is a safe and effective procedure for both short-term and long-term control of bleeding varices.