Year: 2026 | Month: July-September | Volume: 11 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 44-55
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20260306
Observational Study of Endoscopic Management of Esophageal Variceal Bleeding and Recurrence
Prashant Dorkar1, Snehal Supe2, Santosh Dalvi3
1Assistant Professor, Department of General Surgery, Government Medical College and Hospital, Miraj
2Junior Resident, Department of General Surgery, Government Medical College and Hospital, Miraj
3Associate Professor, Department of General Surgery, Government Medical College and Hospital, Miraj
Corresponding Author: Dr. Snehal Supe
ABSTRACT
Background: Acute bleeding from esophageal varices is a major complication of portal hypertension and requires prompt endoscopic control followed by structured surveillance to prevent rebleeding. This study evaluated the immediate and short-term outcomes of endoscopic variceal ligation/banding in patients with esophageal variceal bleeding.
Methods: This prospective observational study included 100 adult patients who underwent endoscopic variceal ligation/banding for esophageal variceal bleeding at a tertiary care hospital from January 2024 to June 2025. Baseline clinical profile, hemodynamic status, endoscopic grade, procedure details, immediate control, rebleeding, variceal regression at day 15, and recurrence at 3 and 6 months were assessed. Categorical variables were analysed using Chi-square or Fisher exact test.
Results: Mean age was 47.12±10.22 years and 82.0% were males. Alcoholic liver disease was the commonest etiology (79.0%). Grade III varices were present in 62.0%, grade IV in 27.0%, and red wale signs in 71.0%. Immediate bleeding control was achieved in 94.0%, while immediate rebleeding within 5 days occurred in 12.0%. At day 15, partial regression was noted in 88.0%. Three-month recurrence was 13.4% among available follow-up cases and 6-month recurrence was 30.1%. Overall recurrence was documented in 33.0%; post-recurrence bleeding occurred in 57.6% of recurrence cases. Delayed banding interval was significantly associated with recurrence (p=0.006), and number of variceal columns was associated with immediate rebleeding (p=0.016).
Conclusions: Endoscopic variceal ligation achieved high immediate hemostasis with acceptable early safety. Recurrence and post-recurrence bleeding remained clinically important, supporting early intervention, scheduled repeat endoscopy and strict follow-up.
Keywords: Endoscopic variceal ligation; Esophageal varices; Portal hypertension; Rebleeding; Recurrence; Variceal bleeding