Analysis of a prospective series of 100 mesocaval interposition shunts for bleeding portal hypertension

• Published in: Hepato-gastroenterology Vol. 37; no. 1; p. 115
• Main Authors: Paquet, K J, Mercado, M A, Kalk, J F, Koussouris, P, Siemens, F, Müting, D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Greece 01.02.1990
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Esophageal and Gastric Varices - surgery; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage - surgery; Humans; Hypertension, Portal - mortality; Hypertension, Portal - surgery; Middle Aged; Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical - adverse effects; Prospective Studies
• ISSN: 0172-6390

The results of a prospective series using the mesocaval interposition shunt (MIS) over a period of 13 years is reviewed. One hundred patients were selected for the operation using strict criteria, and in 98 cases the operation was performed electively. Selection criteria included a liver volume of between 1,000 and 2,500 ml, portal perfusion of between 15-30%, no active liver disease and no stenosis of hepatic artery or celiac axis, as well as a good functional Child-Pugh classification (A-B). In all the cases preoperative sclerotherapy was performed as many times as needed with the aim of controlling the active bleeding at admission and of diminishing the pre- and postoperative bleeding probability. Intra-operative postshunt measurements showed residual portal perfusion in all patients studied. Early mortality was 10% and the follow-up mortality 38.8%. The main causes of death were liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. The five- and ten-year survival rates were 65% and 35%, respectively. The total encephalopathy rate was 12.2%. Rebleeding was observed in 5.5% of the cases, and the long term-shunt patency rate was 90%. Anigography and sequential scintigraphy showed residual portal perfusion in 75% of the cases soon after operation, in 60% after 6 months, and in 38% after 2 years, showing the tendency of the diversion to diminish the portal perfusion rate in the late postoperative period. The results show that MIS still has a place in the treatment of portal hypertension and that it is an excellent alternative choice to the selective shunts and the devasculariaztion procedures.