The esophageal varices they are abnormally dilated veins found in the final part of the esophagus, through which part of the blood circulates that normally should pass through the liver. Its dilation is a consequence of the difficulty that the diseased liver offers to the passage of blood.
Endoscopic ligation of esophageal varices is a technique for the treatment of bleeding esophageal varices, which has proven to be as effective as endoscopic sclerosis, with a lower incidence of complications.
Several studies have shown that endoscopic variceal ligation is a promising alternative to sclerotherapy. Digestive hemorrhage due to esophagogastric varices occurs in patients with liver cirrhosis or with extrahepatic portal hypertension as a result of increased portal pressure among other factors. The most common cause of portal hypertension is cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver. Thrombosis, or a blood clot that develops in the portal vein, can also cause portal hypertension. The goal of the treatment of variceal hemorrhage is to achieve hemostasis of the bleeding site, prevent new episodes of bleeding trying to eradicate varicose veins, and avoid complications.