Endoscopic Banding: Purpose, Procedure, Benefits and Side Effects

Endoscopic banding is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat esophageal varices, which are enlarged veins in the lower part of the esophagus.

This procedure involves the use of a specially designed endoscope and an elastic band that is placed around the varices to restrict blood flow and reduce their size.

There are three main types of endoscopic banding: elastic ligation, sclerotherapy, and radiofrequency ablation.

• Elastic ligation: In this technique, a small rubber band (also known as an elastic ligature) is placed around the base of the varix using an endoscope. This restricts blood supply to the varix, causing it to shrink over time.
• Sclerotherapy: In this technique, a sclerosant (a substance that causes tissue inflammations) is injected into the varix using an endoscope. This causes inflammation and scarring of the tissue, which leads to closure of the vein and shrinkage of the varix over time.
• Radiofrequency ablation: Radiofrequency ablation uses heat energy delivered through an endoscope to destroy tissue in the varix area and cause it to shrink over time. This method can be used for larger or more complicated varices that cannot be treated with elastic ligation or sclerotherapy alone.

Endoscopic banding has many benefits, including:-

• Quick recovery time: Endoscopic banding is often performed as an outpatient procedure, which means patients may go home the same day.
• Minimal discomfort: Endoscopic banding is generally well-tolerated by patients and causes minimal pain or discomfort during and after the procedure.
• Improved outcomes: Endoscopic banding has been found to be effective in treating many gastrointestinal conditions, resulting in improved outcomes for patients with these conditions.
• Cost-effective: Endoscopic banding is often less expensive than traditional surgical treatments, making it more cost-effective for both patients and healthcare providers alike.

• Endoscopic banding is a procedure that is used to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Endoscopic banding can be used to treat conditions such as esophageal varices (enlarged veins in the esophagus), gastric varices (enlarged veins in the stomach), and rectal varices (enlarged veins in the rectum).
• It is also effective in treating polyps and tumours in the digestive system.
• Endoscopic banding can provide quick relief for those suffering from conditions of the gastrointestinal tract and may even help prevent more serious issues from developing.

• Risks include bleeding, infection, pain at the site of the banding, and rarely bowel obstruction or perforation.
• Complications are more likely if you have other medical conditions such as bleeding disorders or weakened immune systems.
• After endoscopic banding, there is a possibility of recurrence.

• In order to prepare for endoscopic banding, make sure that you:-
• Talk to your doctor about your medical history.
• Do what your doctor tells you to do before the procedure.
• Ask any queries you have about the process.
• Make arrangements for someone else to take you home after the treatment.

The procedure involves inserting an endoscope into the GI tract and using it to discover and identify problematic blood vessels before applying a special elastic band around them. This causes their blood supply to cease, causing them to shrink and finally die.

• Obtain informed consent from the patient.
• Perform a pre-procedure physical examination and take a medical history.
• Perform any imaging or laboratory tests that may be required.
• Prepare the endoscopic equipment, such as endoscope, banding device, and other necessary tools.
• Provide any medicines or sedatives that are required.
• Position the patient correctly for the process.
• Ensure that all personnel involved in the procedure are properly trained and prepared.

• Prepare the patient by administering a sedative or general anesthesia.
• Insert an endoscope into the patient’s esophagus and stomach to locate the varices.
• Apply a rubber band to the base of each varix using an instrument called a ligator, which is passed through the endoscope.
• Monitor the patient for any adverse reactions during and after the procedure.
• Remove the endoscope and close any incisions made in the patient’s esophagus or stomach with sutures or staples if necessary.

• Apply a pressure dressing to the site of the banding.
• Keep an eye on the patient for symptoms of infection or bleeding.
• Provide instructions on how to care for the site, including avoiding strenuous activity, taking pain medications as prescribed, and avoiding hot baths or showers until the area has healed completely.
• Follow-up with the patient in 1-2 weeks to ensure that there are no complications from the procedure and that healing is progressing as expected.
• Schedule follow-up endoscopic exams to monitor for recurrence of symptoms or further complications from banding therapy if necessary.

Generally, the cost of endoscopic banding ranges from around Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 40,000 in India.

• It is advisable to have a diet that is well-balanced and contains a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats.
• Avoiding high-fat and high-sugar foods can help reduce the risk of further blockages in the digestive tract.
• It is essential that you consume a lot of fluids in order to protect your body from becoming dehydrated.

Yes, Endoscopic banding is a safe and effective procedure for treating gastrointestinal issues such as esophageal varices, achalasia, and esophageal strictures.

Most of the time, getting better can take somewhere between a few days to a few weeks.

Endoscopic banding often causes:-

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Bloating
• Diarrhoea.
• Other possible side effects include:
• Infection or bleeding at the site of the procedure
• Inflammation of the esophagus or stomach lining (esophagitis or gastritis)
• Difficulty swallowing.
• In rare cases, complications can include perforation of the esophagus or stomach wall.

• Be sure to take any medications, such as antibiotics and anticoagulants, provided to you by your doctor following the procedure exactly as he or she instructs you to do.
• After the treatment, you should wait at least 24 hours before engaging in physically demanding activities.
• Avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours after the procedure as it may increase bleeding risk and interfere with the healing process.
• Avoid eating spicy foods for at least 48 hours after the procedure as it may cause irritation or discomfort in your gastrointestinal tract that could delay healing process or cause further complications from the banding itself.
• Monitor your diet closely and make sure you are getting adequate nutrition during the recovery period in order to promote healing process and reduce risk of infection or other complications from banding itself or other treatments being used simultaneously with endoscopic banding (such as chemotherapy).
• Contact your doctor if you experience any signs of infection, including fever, chills, abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours

Endoscopic banding is a minimally invasive procedure for treating various gastrointestinal disorders, such as esophageal varices, gastric varices, and achalasia.

This procedure is relatively safe and effective in reducing the risk of bleeding from these conditions.Even though there are certain risks connected with the procedure, they may often be minimised with the right training and skill.Overall, endoscopic banding is an effective treatment option for many gastrointestinal conditions.