Evaluation of hepatic reserve for surgical treatment in portal hypertension.

Based on a hepatic hemodynamic study, estimated by hepatic catheterization technique in 233 patients of portal hypertension, a classification of hepatic reserve is proposed. Surgical treatments for preventing esophageal variceal bleeding which does not decrease portal pressure may safely be applied to the patients whose effective hepatic blood flow of over 300 ml/min/M2, intrahepatic shunting rate below 40 per cent, IGC disappearance rate of over 0.04 min-1, or BSP 30 minute retention rate of below 35 per cent.