Self-expanding metal stents for acute refractory esophageal variceal bleeding: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aim

Esophageal variceal bleeding is a severe complication of portal hypertension with significant morbidity and mortality. A substantial portion of cirrhotics fail to respond to conventional medical therapy and band ligation, necessitating alternative treatments including self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) placement for acute refractory esophageal variceal bleeding. In the present study, we carried out a systematic review and structured meta-analysis of all eligible studies to evaluate the technical feasibility, safety, clinical efficacy, and survival advantage of SEMS placement for the treatment of of acute esophageal variceal bleeding.

Methods

Searches of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases were carried out through December 2015

SUBMITTER: McCarty TR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4940258 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature