Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Tropical Medicine

Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is the standard treatment of gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE). Endoscopic band ligation (EBL) emerging as new modality for treatment of GAVE. Compare the effect of APC followed by EBL to EBL alone for the treatment of bleeding GAVE in cirrhotic patients. The study was conducted on forty cirrhotic patients presenting with bleeding from GAVE. The patients were divided into two groups: Combined therapy group (CTG): 20 patients were subjected to alternating sessions of APC and EBL. EBL group (EBLG): 20 patients were subjected to EBL alone. Sessions were applied every 3 weeks till adequate endoscopic ablation was achieved. Regular follow-up and endoscopic assessment at 6 months. In the CTG the mean number of sessions (MNS) was 3.25±1.07 and the mean number of rubber bands (MNRB) calculated and was found to be 8.30±3.53.In the EBLG the MNS was 1.95±0.76 and the MNRB was calculated and was found to be 11.35±5.44.In the CTG: no complication was detected. In the EBLG: four patients (20%) had complication

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