[Blocking surgery for esophageal varices]

If it is not possible to arrest massive hemorrhage from esophageal varices within 48 h by conservative means or by endoscopic phlebosclerosation, surgery should be performed as soon as possible. In most cases a palliative operation is performed, by which irreversible shock and consequent heart failure can be avoided. The method of phlebosclerosation preferred by the authors is transection of the lower esophagus via a thoracic approach.