Both study groups were administered with 40mg pantoprazole intravenously after EVL for 3 days, and following oral form for 12 days to hasten the process of healing of ulcers induced by ligation. Oral administration of non-selective β-blocker was considered to start on day 5. Prophylactic antibiotic was initiated and continued for 5 days. Elective EVL was undertaken at the interval of three to four weeks. The period of follow-up was 42 days.