hi,my brother 47 yrs  had a gi bleed,he is diabetic on oral meds and having low platelets,the reason for which is unknown.we did bone marrow and other tests and it is normal.he had a tooth infection last week and was on two course of antibiotics,he was alcoholic as well,now the dr says he may need a liver banding ,how does it helps,should we go for that,what are its complications
Hello,1) history of alcohol + GI bleeding + low platelets suggest cirrhosis of liver due to alcohol with portal hypertension2) in this condition liver is damaged from excessive alcohol consumption and normal liver tissue replaced by high-functioning fibrous tissue. Thus liver function will get compromised. This fibrous tissue in liver also produce hypertension in portal vein (supply blood to liver).3) due to portal hypertension, blood flow to liver will be decreased which further aggravate cirrhosis and blood flow to spleen increase (spleen size increase). Because of increase flow to spleen, blood cells get destroyed in seen (cause low platelets, low WBC).4) because of portal hypertension, small blood vessels in lower part of esophagus get enlarged (esophageal varices). If these varices enlarge beyond acceptable limit then it may rupture and cause GI bleeding.5) To prevent such rupture of esophageal varices, endoscopic banding must be done regularly.