Surgical treatment of portal hypertension in China.

In 3,263 cases of portal hypertension, various methods of porta-systemic shunt or portal-azygous disconnection were applied with reasonable results. In addition to the treatment for intractable ascites, peritoneal-jugular shunt and thoracic duct jugular anastomosis were employed in 132 cases. This is our approach to portal hypertension in the big city hospitals. There is much controversy over the suitability of prophylactic surgery and the ideal time for surgery. The reasons for prophylactic surgery and the management of bleeding varices are discussed in this paper.