[Late results of mesocaval and distal splenorenal shunts]

Shunt operations were carried out in 63 patients. Child A and B patients received alternatingly a distal splenorenal or mesocaval shunt, Child C and emergency patients exclusively mesocaval shunts. The postoperative mortality in the emergency group was 29%, in the elective group with mesocaval shunts 13% and with distal splenorenal shunts 17%. After 3 years the cumulative survival rates were similar in all patient groups and amounted to 54-64%. Episodes of acute encephalopathy in the late phase were observed only after mesocaval shunts (7%).