Recurrence of Upper Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage in Sclerotherapy X Elastic Ligature: Systematic Review

Introduction: The first technique to be used as an intervention in this procedure was sclerotherapy, but with the passing of the years and improvement it was found in the elastic ligature technique the gold standard for the approach in these cases.

Objectives: To compare, through a systematic review, the recurrence of upper digestive hemorrhage in the techniques of sclerotherapy and elastic ligation.

Methods: The most relevant studies in the MedLine, Bireme and Scielo databases were analyzed. The search strategy used the following keyword combinations: (“High Digestive Hemorrhage, Sclerotherapy, Elastic Bandage”).

Results: There were 9 studies selected from the crossword of the keywords, and of these, only 6 were used in the studies after applying the Randomized Controlled Trial and Clinical Trials filters.

Conclusion: There is no definite consensus on which technique - sclerotherapy or elastic ligation - could be associated with a lower risk of recurrence in cases involving upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The literature shows advantages both in the technique of sclerotherapy and in the technique of elastic ligation, and in general, it is nowadays observed that the technique considered gold standard for these cases is the technique of elastic ligation, although many professionals still opt for sclerotherapy, especially in surgical intervention in pediatric patients.

Keywords: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding; Sclerotherapy; Elastic ligation