Effect of endoscopic injection therapy with combined cyanoacrylate and lipiodol for bleeding gastric varices: A single center experience.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the endoscopic injection therapy with combined cyanoacrylate and lipiodol for bleeding gastric fundal varices.

METHODS

The medical records of cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients who underwent at least one episode of endoscopic application of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate-lipiodol mixture for gastric varices at our gastroenterology clinic between October 2004 and January 2010 were reviewed. The technique comprised the dilution of 0.5 mL of cyanoacrylate with 0.5 mL of lipiodol and repeating intravariceal injections of 1.0 mL each until hemostasis was achieved.

RESULTS

A total of 66 patients (41 male and 25 female) with gastric varices underwent 86 endoscopic injections of cyanoacrylate for hemostasis. Overall 38 patients (57.6%) had active bleeding during the endoscopic procedure, while the remaining 28 (42.4%) underwent cyanoacrylate under elective conditions. In one patient (1.5%) hemostasis could not be achieved, prompting referral for emergency surgery. The median number of sessions was one (range 1-3). Eleven patients (16.6%) rebled during a median follow-up period of 6.02 months (0.1-62.4 months). There was no bleeding-related death. One patient developed splenic infarction a day after N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate injection.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic injection therapy combining cyanoacrylate and lipiodol is effective for bleeding gastric fundal varices.