Comparison of haemostatic efficacy for endoscopic injection therapy of epinephrine and combination therapy of epinephrine and hemoclips for bleeding peptic ulcers

Introduction. Endoscopic injection therapy of epinephrine is safe and effective in the treatment of bleeding peptic ulcer, but with high risk of rebleeding. The combination therapy of epinephrine and hemoclips could lead to a reduction of rebleeding and a potential reduction in mortality. Objective. To investigate the efficacy and safety of epinephrine injection therapy and combination therapy with epinephrine and hemoclips in treating bleeding peptic ulcers. Methods. A prospective randomized study included 58 patients with bleeding gastric or duodenal ulcer. In 30 patients endoscopic injection therapy with diluted epinephrine was applied (group I), while in 28 patients combination therapy of epinephrine and hemoclips was applied (group II). Results. Initial haemostasis was achieved in most patients treated with epinephrine injection therapy (93.3%) and patients treated with combination therapy of epinephrine and hemoclips (96.4%). After initial haemostasis was achieved rebleeding was significantly more frequent in the patients treated with epinephrine (28.5%) than in the patients treated with combination therapy (3.7%, p<0.05). Two patients treated with epinephrine injection therapy were subjected to surgical intervention, whereas no patient treated with combination therapy needed surgery. Lethal ending occurred in one patient treated with epinephrine and in one patient treated with combination therapy. The difference between the two groups of patients in need for surgical intervention and mortality was not statistically significant. Conclusion. Combination therapy with epinephrine and hemoclips is more efficient than epinephrine alone in the treatment of bleeding peptic ulcers.