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Mallory-Weiss tear - Treatment

Alternative Names

Mucosal lacerations - gastroesophageal junction

Treatment:

The tear usually heals in about 10 days without treatment. Surgery is rarely required. Drugs that suppress stomach acid (proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers) may be given, but it is not clear if they are helpful.

If blood loss has been great, blood transfusions may be necessary. Excessive bleeding may need to be treated by using an endoscope (see EGD). In most cases, bleeding stops without treatment within a few hours.

Expectations (prognosis):

Repeated bleeding is uncommon unless there is also a problem with blood clotting. The outcome is expected to be good.

Complications:

Hemorrhage (loss of blood)

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you begin vomiting blood or if you pass bloody stools.

Digestive system

Mallory-Weiss tear

Stomach and stomach lining

Reviewed last on: 12/19/2008
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Bjorkman DJ. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage and occult gastrointestinal bleeding. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 137.

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