Portasystemic shunting procedures for portal hypertension: Twenty-six year experience in adults with cirrhosis of the liver

1. 1. The results of the 404 cases of portal hypertension in adults with portal cirrhosis treated by portasystemic shunts are reviewed. 2. 2. The over-all operative mortality was 12 per cent. 3. 3. The five year survival rate was 58 per cent. 4. 4. Incidence of moderate and severe encephalopathy combined was 34 per cent in the follow-up period. 5. 5. Control of portasystemic encephalopathy is still imperfect but colon bypass offers hope when conservative therapy has failed. 6. 6. The incidence of shunt failure ranged between 5 and 50 per cent depending on the type of shunt performed. 7. 7. The most important factor in determining the clinical results of any shunting procedure is the underlying liver function status.