Safety and Complication of Endoscopic Band Ligation

Background: Endoscopic band ligation (EBL) is a medical procedure commonly used to treat esophageal varices, which are swollen veins in the lining of the lower esophagus. Esophageal varices can be a serious complication of liver disease, particularly cirrhosis, and they pose a risk of bleeding. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and complication of endoscopic band ligation. Methods: This prospective observational study was done in the department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, BSHI. 60 subjects were included in this study from July 2019 – June 2021. Every case was treated with endoscopic band ligation. Cases were followed up for a minimum period of 1 year after the band ligation. Statistical analyses of the results were be obtained by using window-based Microsoft Excel and Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS-24). Results: Age of the children was 3-18 years with mean 7.27±2.21 years and male: female ratio was 2:1. Out of 60 children 34 (56.7%) were extra-hepatic and 26 (46.6%) were hepatic causes of portal hypertension. Maximum patients (46.6%) had grade III varices followed by (30%) patients had grade IV and (23%) patients had grade II with red sign. Most of the patients, (46%) required 2 sessions and (36%) patients required 3 sessions for variceal obliteration in both group and (16%) cases of extra-hepatic children required only 1 session whereas hepatic cases required multiple sessions. Among 60 patients, (83%) patients developed re-bleeding where (40%) patients had early re-bleeding and (43%) had late re-bleeding. No complications were noted except nausea and vomiting. Conclusion: It's essential for patients undergoing EBL to discuss the potential risks and benefits with their healthcare provider and to ensure that the procedure is performed by a qualified and experienced medical team. Additionally, patients should follow post-procedure instructions carefully to minimize the risk of complications and promote ....