Clinical Experience in Endoscopic Obturation of Gastric Varices with Histoacryl

During the period from Aug. 1990 to Feb. 1991, a total of 14 gastric varices in ten patients were treated with an endoscopic intravariceal injection of Histoacryl, including (1) three cases of bleeding gastric varices and (2) seven cases of large gastric varices without active bleeding but with stigmata of recent bleeding. The results were as follows: Immediate hemostasis was achieved in all four active bleeding varices in three cases. The eradication of gastric varices was noted in six lesions, and the remaining four lesions could not be evaluated because the patients died before the extrusion of Histoacryl. There were no complications resulting from the Histoacryl injecton. Our study shows that Histoacryl obturation is a safe and effective method for achieving immediate hemostasis, and for the eradication of bleeding gastric varices.