Adults and children who suffer from a condition called portal hypertension (a complication of liver disease) may experience bleeding in the esophagus due to esophageal varices – abnormal, enlarged veins that have thin walls and are subject to a great deal of interior pressure. Such bleeding can be severe and potentially life-threatening. Treatment for this condition is usually provided via variceal banding (ligation) or endoscopic sclerotherapy as part of an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. In a banding procedure, a flexible ring is placed around an inflamed blood vessel to eliminate blood flow to that area. The procedure may need to be repeated over a period of weeks, and patients will need to have their varices evaluated on a regular basis (typically 1-3 times per year) for the rest of their lives.
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