Sugiura procedure in the surgical treatment of bleeding esophageal varices in children: long-term results.

Recurrent bleeding, the high occurrence of encephalopathy, and the impairment of hepatic function in the successful cases of portasystemic shunts have led to increasing dissatisfaction with these procedures in recent years. Between March 1974 and November 1990 we have operated on 15 children for bleeding esophageal varices using the Sugiura procedure (esophageal transection with paraesophagogastric devascularization). In two cases the entire procedure was performed via the thoracic approach. The spleen was left in place in five cases. We have had no mortality. Operative complications included bleeding in the early postoperative period in two children and partial leakage from the esophageal suture in two others. Follow-up was from 4 years 3 months to 16 years 8 months with an average of 10 years 4 months. Long-term results have been gratifying in 12 patients (80%) with disappearance of the varices and no evidence of recurrent bleeding. Three children (20% of the patients) had recurrent bleeding 4 1/2 years, 4 years 2 months, and 2 1/2 years after the surgical procedure. In all cases there was no evidence of esophageal stenosis, gastroesophageal reflux, or hiatal hernia, nor signs of encephalopathy nor impairment of hepatic function. In our opinion the Sugiura procedure is a valid procedure in the surgical treatment of esophageal varices bleeding in the pediatric age with a high rate of success (80%) and without late complications.