ABSTRACT
From 1982 to 1987, twenty patients underwent Distal Splenorenal Shunt. The surgical indication was hemorrhagic portal hypertension: two cases were done on an emergency basis and eighteen electively. In all patients endoscopy was performed, and the bleeding site was documented; splenoportography was done to 70% and the remaining had selective arteriography with venous phase. Portal pressure was measured during splenoportography or during the operation with catheterization of the right gastroepiploic vein. We had a preoperative histopathologic diagnosis in 60% of the cases. The overall preoperative mortality was 10%, with ascites in seven patients, pancreatic pseudocyst in one, chylous retrogastric collection in one and, encephalopathy in one case. The predicted overall survival for a 5-year period is 77%. We think this surgery can be done in the general hospitals of small cities.