Endoscopic treatment of bleeding gastric varices using large amount of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate under fluoroscopic guidance.

PURPOSE: We propose the use of fluoroscopic guidance for endoscopic injection of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate to treat gastric variceal hemorrhage to achieve placement of the safest quantity of tissue adhesive.

METHODS

Ten patients with gastric varices were treated with n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate endoscopic injection under fluoroscopic guidance for the purpose of hemostasis or prevention of recurrent bleeding. The glue was infused into the varices in the quantities needed to achieve complete obliteration of the gastric varices.

RESULTS

The median quantity of tissue adhesive required in this series was 6.6 mL. The procedure was initially considered successful in all patients. There were no complications relating to the procedure. The mean duration of follow-up was 20 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Injection of suitable quantities of cyanoacrylate under fluoroscopic guidance seems to be safe and effective for controlling hemorrhagic gastric varices.