What is Endoscopic Glue Injection?
Endoscopic glue injection is a medical procedure used to treat bleeding varices in the digestive tract. The procedure involves injecting a special adhesive directly into the bleeding vessels using an endoscope to stop active bleeding and prevent future hemorrhage.
Procedure Components
- Endoscopic visualization of bleeding sites
- Injection of tissue adhesive (usually N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate)
- Real-time monitoring of hemostasis
- Multiple injection sites may be treated in one session
Medical Indications
- Active variceal bleeding
- Gastric varices
- Esophageal varices unresponsive to band ligation
- Emergency bleeding control
Pre-procedure Requirements
- Assessment of coagulation status
- Fasting for 6-8 hours
- Review of current medications
- Informed consent
Post-procedure Care
- Monitoring of vital signs
- Observation for signs of rebleeding
- Gradual return to oral intake
- Follow-up endoscopy as needed
Potential Complications
- Local tissue damage
- Embolization
- Infection at injection sites
- Equipment damage from glue hardening
- Fever and chest pain
Success Rates and Outcomes
- Initial hemostasis achieved in most cases
- Lower rebleeding rates compared to some other treatments
- Cost-effective for appropriate cases
- May require repeat procedures