ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy of dense ligation and non-dense ligation in treating severe esophageal varices. MethodsSixty cirrhotic patients with severe esophageal varices treated in our hospital between January 2009 and October 2011 were divided into two groups based on their operative ways.Group A was the dense ligation group including 32 patients,and group B was non-dense ligation group in which there were 28 patients.Six-shooter multi-band ligators were used for endoscopy.If the number of loop ligature collar was larger than six,it was regarded as dense ligation and the rest was regarded as non-dense ligation. ResultsIn group A,one month after first ligature,six patients were basically cured,24 were greatly improved,and two did not respond to the treatment,with a total effective rate of 93.8% and an average ligation of 1.94 times.In group B,one month after first ligature,one patient was basically cured,24 were greatly improved,and three did not respond to the treatment,with a total effective rate of 89.3% and an average ligation of 2.75 times. ConclusionDense ligation is a safe,reliable and effective approach for esophageal varices,which brings about a high disappearance rate of esophageal varices and reduced ligation frequency.