| Bleeding esophageal varices are a serious complication of liver disease. They carry a poor prognosis. Liver transplantation improves the prognosis, but may not be possible in very advanced cases or in individuals who continue to abuse alcohol. With successful surgical treatment (either a portal shunt or tying off the varix [banding] or sclerotherapy and strict adherence to abstinence from alcohol), the chances and severity of future bleeding episodes are reduced. Sclerotherapy stops immediate bleeding in 90% of cases (De Milto). However, rebleeding is likely in most cases, usually within 6 weeks. When bleeding stops spontaneously without therapy, the individual may bleed again, usually within a week. |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor