Endoscopic Variceal Sclerosis Compared with Distal Splenorenal Shunt To Prevent Recurrent Variceal Bleeding in Cirrhosis

Abstract

Endoscopic sclerotherapy with surgical rescue for uncontrolled bleeding is the optimum therapy for patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and variceal bleeding. Survival is similar in nonalcoholic patients treated with either distal splenorenal shunt or endoscopic sclerotherapy, but shunting provides better control of variceal bleeding.