Endoscopic Detachable Snare Ligation Improves the Treatment for Colonic Diverticular Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recently, endoscopic detachable snare ligation (EDSL) has become increasingly common as treatment for colonic diverticular hemorrhage. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EDSL in comparison with endoscopic clipping (EC) as treatment for colonic diverticular hemorrhage. METHODS: From April 2013 to September 2017, 131 patients were treated with EDSL or EC at the Tokyo Metropolitan Bokutoh Hospital. We retrospectively evaluated patient characteristics and clinical outcomes, including early rebleeding rates (rebleeding within 30 days after initial hemostasis) and complications for each procedure. RESULTS: Of 131 patients, 44 and 87 were treated with EDSL and EC respectively. We initially achieved endoscopic hemostasis in all patients. The early rebleeding rate was significantly lower for EDSL (6.8%, 3 patients) than for EC (23.0%, 20 patients). There were no differences in the total procedure time (43 vs. 45 min, p = 0.84) or time to hemostasis after identification of bleeding site (12 vs. 10 min, p = 0.23). There were no severe complications following EDSL. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that EDSL is superior to EC as treatment for colonic diverticular hemorrhage. EDSL may provide improvements in the clinical course of patients with colonic diverticular hemorrhage.