[Sclerosing injections of oesophageal varices. Analysis of 247 cases treated between 1964 and 1977 (author's transl)]

Abstract

The authors analyse 247 cases of haemorrhagic oesophageal varices treated using sclerosing injections of Quinine-Urea between 1964 and 1977. Portal hypertension as a result of intrahepatic block accounted for 83% of the patients (alcoholic cirrhosis 65%, meta-icteric 12%) and cavernomas 11%. Sclerosing injections were used in patients refused by surgeons (85%) or after the failure of surgery (15%). Only 11 cases were treated during the period of active haemorrhage, and the others during the following weeks. Tolerance of treatment so long as all safety factors were employed routinely in order to deal with any possible haemorrhagic complications. Deaths due to the method totalled 2.8%, including those due to worsening of the underlying disease. Overall results were of 69% survival of more than one year, 40% at more than 3 years and 24% at more than five years. For alcoholic cirrhosis, these figures were respectively 62, 30 and 18%. The prognosis in cases of cavernoma was much better; 80% survival at more than 5 years.