Relationship between portal hypertensive gastropathy and ligation of esophageal varices

Objective To observe the incidence or aggravation of portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) after endoscopic variceal ligation(EVL). Methods 89 sessions of EVL were practised on 58 patients with portal hypertension and followed up by periodic endoscopy. The procedures were performed by the same team of doctors. Results PHG was observed preoperatively in 10 cases (17.2%), including bleeding in 2, After EVL that was noted in 17 (21.3%) and aggravated in 3, including bleeding in 6, with no difference (P0.05). PHG developed in 15 out of 40 (35.7%) cases with elimination of varices following EVL. However PHGwas discovered in only 2 out of 18 (11.1%) cases who had persistent varices after ligation. There was statistical difference (P0.05). The onset of PHG related positively with the number of ring used for ligation and the time elapsed after EVL (r=0.932 and 0.994 respectively). The mean time of onset of PHG being 8.53 months. Conclusion PHG is likely to take place if the varices disappear or alleviate after ligation. Moreover the incidence of PHG rises with the increase in ring used and time of follow-up.