About Esophageal Varices
Key Highlights
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Life-saving intervention to prevent or stop severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding.Performed during a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure, avoiding major surgery.Effective in both emergency bleeding control and long-term prevention of re-bleeding.Allows for direct visualization and targeted treatment of the problematic veins.Can be repeated as needed for ongoing management of portal hypertension.
Who is this surgery for?
- Active bleeding from esophageal varices (emergency procedure).
- History of a previous variceal bleed (secondary prevention).
- Large, high-risk varices identified during a screening endoscopy in a patient with cirrhosis (primary prevention).
- Varices with red wale marks or other signs indicating a high risk of imminent bleeding.
- As part of the management plan for portal hypertension due to liver disease.
How to prepare
- Patient stabilization is critical, especially in emergency bleeding; this may include IV fluids, blood transfusions, and medications to reduce portal pressure.
- Fasting for 6-8 hours before the elective procedure to ensure an empty stomach.
- Review of current medications; adjustments may be needed for blood thinners.
- Informed consent process detailing the risks, benefits, and alternatives.
- Administration of sedation or anesthesia to ensure patient comfort and cooperation during the endoscopy.
Risks & possible complications
- Perforation (tear) of the esophagus, though rare with endoscopic techniques.
- Post-procedure bleeding from the treatment site.
- Infection or fever.
- Chest pain, difficulty swallowing, or throat discomfort after the procedure.
- Adverse reactions to sedation or the sclerosant injection.
- Recurrence of varices requiring repeat procedures.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Immediate recovery in a post-procedure area until sedation wears off (1-2 hours).
- Mild throat soreness, bloating, or cramping is common for a day or two.
- A soft or liquid diet may be recommended for the first 24 hours.
- Resumption of prescribed medications for liver disease and portal hypertension.
- Close monitoring for signs of re-bleeding, such as black stools, vomiting blood, or dizziness.
- Follow-up endoscopy is typically scheduled in 2-4 weeks to assess treatment and apply more bands if needed.
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Typical hospital stay: 1-3 days
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Expected recovery time: 1-2 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering esophageal varices in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for esophageal varices in India include Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, KMC Hospital Mangalore, Manipal Hospital Baner, Manipal Hospital Dwarka, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform esophageal varices. MediFyr helps you compare gastroenterologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for esophageal varices compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Esophageal Varices in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated gastroenterology teams and experience managing patients undergoing esophageal varices.
Emily Iyer, a 62-year-old retired teacher,...
Emily Iyer, a 62-year-old retired teacher, has a complex history of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). She had undergone two previous band ligation sessions for varices that developed due to her NASH. She presented to her gastroenterologist, Dr. Wright, with complaints of new, mild but persistent heartburn and a feeling of fullness. A surveillance endoscopy showed a recurrence of large varices in a tricky location. Given her history and the HHT (which affects blood vessels), Dr. Wright recommended endoscopic sclerotherapy this time, injecting a solution directly into the veins to scar and close them. Emily was weary of the recurring battle but trusted her long-term doctor. The procedure was more uncomfortable than banding, with notable chest pain afterwards that was managed with medication. Recovery required a longer period on a liquid then soft diet. While physically tougher, the outcome was good, with the varices successfully obliterated. Emotionally, Emily felt frustrated and fatigued by the chronic nature of her illnesses before the procedure. Afterwards, while acknowledging the ongoing journey, she felt resilient and grateful for the continuous care that allowed her to enjoy her retirement, gardening, and time with her grandchildren.
Gastroenterologists for Esophageal Varices
Explore experienced gastroenterologists who regularly perform esophageal varices and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 25 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 34 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 20 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 39 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 11 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 11 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 8 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 14 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 18 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 49 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 35 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 32 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 30 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 30 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 21 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 21 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 9 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai