What procedure has equal efficacy to sclerotherapy for esophageal varices but a lower complication rate?

Band ligation is considered to have equal efficacy to sclerotherapy for the treatment of esophageal varices, while also presenting a lower complication rate. Band ligation involves the application of elastic bands to the varices, which effectively occludes the blood vessels, leading to necrosis of the varices and a subsequent decrease in the risk of bleeding. This technique is less invasive compared to more complex procedures, providing a significant advantage in terms of both safety and ease of execution.

Sclerotherapy, while effective, involves the injection of a sclerosing agent directly into the varices, which can lead to complications such as mucosal injury, systemic absorption, and local inflammation. The lower complication rate associated with band ligation makes it a preferred choice among practitioners when managing esophageal varices, particularly for patient populations at higher risk for complications.

In contrast, other procedures mentioned, such as endoscopic ultrasound, balloon tamponade, and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), do not provide the same direct method for variceal obliteration or carry a greater risk of complications, hence they are not considered equivalent in this therapeutic context.