Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) combined with partial splenic embolization (PSE).

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The effectiveness of reducing the recurrence rate of esophageal varices by combining partial splenic embolization (PSE) with endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) was investigated. METHODOLOGY: Patients with complete eradication of esophageal varices were collected as study cases with the following results: 31 cases with PSE and EVL (PSE+EVL group), 25 cases with EVL alone (EVL group), and 33 cases with EIS alone (EIS group). The cumulative recurrence rates were obtained by observing new varices. RESULTS: The cumulative recurrence rates at 6 months were 21.1% in the PSE+EVL group, 58.1% in the EVL group and 32.5% in the EIS group. Those at 1 year were 37.0%, 70.7% and 50.2%, respectively, and those at 2 years were 58.1%, 80.4% and 73.0%, respectively. For all 3 time periods, recurrence rates of the PSE+EVL group were significantly lower than those of the EVL group (p=0.042). Cumulative rates in the PSE+EVL group tended to be lower than those in the EIS group. Further analysis was made on the comparative recurrence rates of the 3 groups, according to Child's classification. The cumulative recurrence rates in Child A cases did not significantly differ between the 3 groups. Cumulative rates in Child B cases were significantly lower in the PSE+EVL group than in the EVL group (p=0.032), and those in the PSE+EVL group tended to be lower than those in the EIS group. These trends were observed between the PSE+EVL group and the EVL group in Child C cases, while cumulative rates did not show differences between the PSE+EVL group and the EIS group. CONCLUSIONS: It was inferred that PSE-combined EVL therapy is a very effective therapy for achieving long-term complete eradication of esophageal varices.