Esophageal Varices Rubber Band Ligation

If left untreated esophageal veins varices can spontaneously rupture and cause severe bleeding.
Esophageal varices rubber band ligation. How is band ligation performed. Band ligation what is band ligation of esophageal varices. In variceal banding an endoscopy loaded with an elastic rubber band is passed through an overtube directly into the varix or varices to be banded. These rings are similar to rubber.
After the bleeding is controlled the doctor may prescribe medications to reduce blood pressure in the portal vein and prevent bleeding from starting again. The bands are placed around the varices to cause them to shrink. This video demonstrates esop. Band ligation can be performed on as many veins as necessary and may be repeated every 4 weeks until the varices have stopped bleeding.
Joe galati of liver specialists of texas located in houston texas. The frequency of esophageal variceal band ligation evbl for the eradication of esophageal varices has no consensus. The procedure is performed during an upper gastrointestinal. Endoscopy band ligation is used to treat enlarged veins in the esophagus the tube connecting the throat to the stomach.
An endoscope is a flexible tube with a light and camera on the end. Small bands made of rubber are loaded onto the endoscope. During endoscopic variceal banding gastroenterology specialists at gramercy park digestive disease center gpddc use an endoscope to carefully place small elastic rings around the problematic enlarged veins. Band ligation of esophageal varices the rupture of gastric varices results in variceal hemorrhage which is one the most lethal complications of cirrhosis.
After suctioning the bleeding varix into the tip of the endoscope the rubber band is slipped over the tissue causing necrosis ulceration and eventual sloughing of the varix. Variceal banding is commonly performed using endoscopic techniques. The scope is moved down your throat until it reaches the varices or the area that is bleeding. This is a videoendocsopy clip performed and narrated by dr.
The bands may be used to prevent or stop bleeding.