Endoscopy & Tests

Medical content written by Dr Youssef BENNANI, hepato-gastroenterologist · Updated on

Esophageal Variceal Banding

Esophageal variceal banding

Banding is the treatment of choice to treat and eradicate esophageal varices. It involves placing elastic bands on the varices to block them and cause them to wither away (necrosis).

What are esophageal varices?

Esophageal varices are caused by the dilation of veins in the wall of the esophagus. They result from cirrhosis or obstruction of the portal vein (the vein that carries blood from the digestive tract to the liver). These varices can burst and cause heavy bleeding.

Banding is the treatment of choice to treat and eradicate esophageal varices. It involves placing elastic bands on the varices, which block them and cause them to wither away.

Banding is performed with a gastroscope. A kit is fitted to the tip of the endoscope to release several elastic bands (4 to 6 bands per session on average). Eradicating the varices usually requires 2 to 4 sessions.

After banding, chest pain or difficulty swallowing may occur, which resolve quickly. A few days later, bleeding may occur when the withered varix falls off (eschar detachment).

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