Results of six hundred thirty-six esophageal transections with paraesophagogastric devascularization in the treatment of esophageal varices.

This report describes 636 patients with portal hypertension in whom esophageal transections with paraesophagogastric devascularization were performed for the management of esophageal varices. The procedure was a prophylactic measure in 185 patients, elective surgery in 349, and an emergency procedure in 102. Portal hypertension was due to cirrhosis of the liver in 464 patients (40 alcoholic and 424 cryptogenic), idiopathic portal hypertension in 99, extrahepatic portal vein occlusion in 38, hepatoma in 22, and other causes in 13. The operative mortality rates were as follows: emergency 13.7%, elective cases 3.2%, prophylactic cases 4.3%, and overall 5.2%. There were no deaths in the 233 patients in Child's clinical class A; 232 class B patients had a 2% mortality rate, and 171 class C patients had a 17% mortality rate. The 10-year actuarial survival rates in patients with cirrhosis of the liver were 55% in emergency cases and 72% in both prophylactic and elective cases. In patients without cirrhosis the survival rates were 90%, 96%, and 95%, respectively. Recurrence of variceal bleeding or varices was less than 5%. We conclude that the Sugiura procedure is safe and effective in controlling esophageal varices and prolongs the long-term survival of patients with portal hypertension.