[Multicenter study on portal hypertension]

A common questionnaire was employed to assess results in 152 cases of portal hypertension in children treated in 18 different Centres. Data concerning etiology and diagnosis were similar to those reported in the published literature: in contrast, the diversity of surgical procedures employed is surprising and clearly demonstrates that unanimity is still lacking between pediatric surgeons concerning the difficult treatment of portal hypertension. In the majority of cases, initial treatment involved either a direct intervention or a splenorenal shunt. Postoperative mortality after 135 operations was 9 p. cent (10 cases) during the immediate, and 10 p. cent (13 cases) during the late postoperative period