Treatment of Mallory Weiss Syndrome

About the disease

Mallory Weiss syndrome is a condition, when the lining of an esophagus is torn. The esophagus is responsible for transporting food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach. It is practically a tube. Most often tear of esophagus develops because of a continuous and chronic vomiting. Such vomiting can happen after a long-term disease, bulimia and excessive alcohol consumption. Mallory Weiss syndrome can also develop as a result of stomach trauma or after stomach surgery, hiatal hernia, and acute gastritis. Constant straining of the stomach can also cause Mallory Weiss syndrome in the long term. According to National Organization for Rare Disorders this condition is more common in people between 40 - 60 years years of age. Men are more likely to develop it.

Symptoms

• Continuous severe vomiting
• Pain in the stomach and upper abdomen
• Blood in the vomit
• Black stool
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss

Blood in the vomit can be dark red or almost black. It is an indicator which calls for immediate emergency treatment. Mallory Weiss syndrome has similar symptoms with ulcer, but these two diseases need to be differentiated as they require different treatment techniques.

Diagnosis

• EGD is a procedure, which allows doctor to examine the esophagus and see if its lining was torn or worn down. During this diagnostic procedure a thin tube, equipped with an endoscope, is gently pushed into the esophagus. Doctor will be able to see all parts of the esophagus with the help of a camera attached to it.
• Blood test is used to determine the number of red blood cells in the blood. Their count can be different in patients with Mallory Weiss syndrome.
• Ultrasound of the stomach is ordered to determine if Mallory Weiss syndrome is caused by the protrusion of the stomach walls. 

Treatment

• Sclerotherapy is an injection therapy, when certain medications are injected to stop the bleeding from the torn lining and close the bleeding blood vessel.
• Coagulation is another therapy for the torn blood vessel, when heat is directed on it to stop bleeding and close it off.
• Surgical plastic esophageal sphincter is the removal of the damaged esophageal sphincter and implantation of the plastic one to retain eating function and stop vomiting.

In 80-90% treatment has beneficial results and you will be able to cure Mallory Weiss syndrome in the matter of few weeks. Certain dietary restrictions needs to be followed after the surgery to prevent new complications such as ulcer or gastritis. 

Authors: Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova, Dr. Sergey Pashchenko