Matched control study of distal splenorenal and portacaval shunts in the treatment of bleeding esophageal varices.

A matched control study was conducted to compare the effects of portacaval shunting with those of distal splenorenal shunting in patients with advanced hepatic cirrhosis and bleeding gastroesophageal varices. Patients in whom distal splenorenal shunts were performed had significantly less postoperative encephalopathy and hepatic failure and a significantly longer survival than did patients who underwent portacaval shunts.