Study of the association between hemorrhage and the position of hemorrhagic stigmata in patients with esophageal varices

The aim of the present study was to investigate the predilection position of hemorrhagic stigmata (HS) in patients with esophageal variceal hemorrhage and provide guidance on endoscopic therapy for esophageal varices. The clinical characteristics, particularly the endoscopic manifestations of HS, in the patients who presented with gastroesophageal variceal hemorrhage and cirrhosis between January 2003 and December 2013 at our hospital were summarized and patients were grouped according to the distance of the lesion site to incisors at 35-40 and similar to 30 cm. The association between the location of HS and active hemorrhage was assessed. The location of hemorrhage and HS at 35-40 cm from the incisors was more common in esophageal varices patients, followed by the location at 30 cm from the incisors (P<0.0001). The incidence of HS in esophageal varices patients in the 35-40 cm group was significantly higher than that in the 30 cm group except for HS at 9:00 position (P<0.0001). The highest incidence of HS in the 30 cm group was at the 3:00 position, followed by the 12:00, 6:00 and 9:00 position. Among them, there were significant differences between the 3:00 and 6:00 position, the 3:00 and 9:00 position, and the 9:00 and 12:00 position (P<0.05). The order in the 35-40 cm group was similar to that in the 30 cm group and the incidence of HS at the 9:00 position was lowest (P<0.05). A certain association between the point of location of HS and hemorrhage was identified. HS located at 35-40 cm from the lesion site to incisors was identified to be most likely to bleed, followed by that located at 30 cm. In addition, the incidence of HS at 9:00 position was found to be lower than that in the other positions. Therefore, HS located at 30 cm and 35-40 cm from the lesion site incisors should be paid attention to and the 3:00, 12:00 and 6:00 rather than the 9:00 position should be prioritized during endoscopic treatment, particularly in emergency situations.