A prospective, randomized trial of endoscopic band ligation vs. epinephrine injection for actively bleeding Mallory-Weiss syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Effective hemostatic treatment is mandatory for patients with actively bleeding Mallory-Weiss syndrome. This study evaluated the respective efficacy and the safety of endoscopic band ligation and endoscopic epinephrine injection in Mallory-Weiss syndrome.

METHODS: Thirty-four consecutive patients with actively bleeding Mallory-Weiss syndrome were prospectively enrolled and were randomly assigned to undergo endoscopic band ligation or endoscopic injections of a 1:10,000 solution of epinephrine. Demographic characteristics, endoscopic variables, and outcome parameters, including rates of hemostasis and recurrent bleeding, were analyzed.

RESULTS: The number of elastic bands applied was one or two; the mean volume of epinephrine injected was 18.0 mL: 95% CI[16.8, 19.2]. There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to age, gender, alcohol ingestion, presenting symptoms, Hb level, shock, comorbid diseases, coagulopathy, tear location, blood transfusion, or duration of hospitalization. Primary hemostasis was achieved in all 17 patients in the band ligation group and in 16 of 17 patients (94.1%) in the epinephrine injection group. There was no recurrence of bleeding or major complication in either group.

CONCLUSIONS: In this small study, no difference was detected in the efficacy or the safety of band ligation vs. epinephrine injection for the treatment of actively bleeding Mallory-Weiss syndrome.