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Mallory-Weiss syndrome
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Mallory-Weiss syndrome is a nonpenetrating laceration of the mucosa of the distal esophagus and proximal stomach caused by vomiting, retching, or hiccups.
Mallory-Weiss syndrome, originally described in alcoholics, can develop in any patient with severe vomiting. Vomiting is the cause (in about 5% of cases) of upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
Most bleeding episodes stop spontaneously; severe bleeding occurs in approximately 10% of patients, requiring significant measures such as blood transfusion or endoscopic hemostasis (ethanol, polidocanol, epinephrine, or electrocautery injections). Intra-arterial injection of pitressin or therapeutic embolization via the left gastric artery during angiography may also be used to stop bleeding. Surgical treatment is rarely necessary.
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