Prevention of stricture formation after endoscopic sclerotherapy of esophageal varices

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of an intensive acid protection regimen in preventing sclerotherapy-associated esophageal strictures, 62 patients undergoing sclerotherapy were randomized to receive either acid protection (antacids, cimetidine, and sucralfate) or no acid protection. Of 31 patients (38.7%) in the no acid protection group, 12 developed a symptomatic stricture during the course of sclerotherapy compared with 3 patients (9.7%) in the group assigned to acid protection (p < 0.01). Our study demonstrates that a vigorous acid protection regimen will help prevent symptomatic esophageal strictures associated with variceal sclerotherapy.