Disturbed oesophageal motility after eradication of varices by chronic sclerotherapy--a scintigraphic study.

Oesophageal function after sclerotherapy for varices in 29 patients was compared with that in 15 patients with untreated varices using a scintigraphic technique. The first group had significantly longer transit times in each third and also in total time compared with a control group of 32 subjects (upper-third P = 0,02; middle-third P = 0,01; lower-third P = 0,0001; and total transit time P = 0,0001). Minor abnormalities of transit were found when the untreated group was compared with controls (increased total transit time P = 0,02). These results indicate that abnormalities of transit are increased after sclerotherapy for varices.