[Hemostatic endoscopic sclerosis in esophageal varices].

Endoscopic sclerotherapy of oesophageal varices has been introduced about ten years ago to control and prevent haemorrhages. It requires exactly the same endoscopic equipment as that used in diagnostic endoscopy. Sclerotherapy of non-bleeding oesophageal varices can be carried out in any endoscopy centre, but it is more difficult to perform and carries a higher risk of serious complications when the varices are bleeding. Sclerotherapy has proved useful in the control of bleeding varices, but its role in the prevention of recurrent variceal haemorrhages is controverted.