Long-term outcome after sclerotherapy with or without a beta-blocker for variceal bleeding in children

Abstract

Background : Esophageal variceal bleedingis a life-threatening complication of portal hypertension. Optimal treatmentfor the prophylaxis of variceal rebleeding in children has not yetbeen determined. In the present study, we aimed to compare the long-termefficacy of endoscopic sclerotherapy with or without oral beta-blockertherapy in the secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding.