[Indications and results of portal shunt surgery]

Bleeding esophageal varices are treated in the first line as emergency by sclerosing procedures. Later on shunt surgery is still to be considered as an important definite procedure. Criteria to be met before surgery are discussed. In our experience the shunting procedure as described by Warren yields good results, low incidence of thrombosis and low lethality. In special cases subtotal esophagectomy can be performed, lethality being as low as after the Warren shunt. Repeating sclerosing over years in contrast carries a high risk of complications and death and does not prevent further bleeding safely enough.