Endoscopic treatments for portal hypertension.

Endoscopic treatments for bleeding gastro-oesophageal varices include injection sclerotherapy, variceal obturation with tissue adhesives and variceal rubber band ligation. Today, endoscopic treatments are not recommended for the primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding. Acute injection sclerotherapy remains a quick and simple technique for the control of active bleeding from oesophageal varices. Its efficacy may be improved by the early administration of vasoactive drugs. Banding ligation is the optimal endoscopic treatment for the prevention of rebleeding from oesophageal varices. The use of tissue adhesives and thrombin as injectates to treat bleeding fundal gastric varices and oesophageal varices not responding to vasoactive drugs or sclerotherapy is promising but needs further assessment by means of randomized controlled trials.