A new procedure for the treatment of bleeding esophageal varices by transgastric azygo-portal disconnection.

Eighty-eight patients with bleeding esophageal varices due to portal hypertension underwent splenectomy and devascularization of the upper half of the stomach and the abdominal esophagus. A Hegar dilator no. 17 was introduced into the esophagus through a gastrotomy. A ring of separated stitches was applied at cardia level, the needle being inserted as far as the metallic surface so as to include the entire wall of the esophagus. Complete interruption of all gastroesophageal vascular communication was thus obtained. After suture of the gastrotomy, a Nissen or Lind's fundoplication was performed. In 62 (70.45%) patients, the immediate postoperative course was uneventful, 21 had non-lethal complications, 13 had abdominal evisceration, six pulmonary complications, four subphrenic abscesses, five patients died, two in hepatic coma, two after reoperation for subphrenic abscess and one after massive hemorrhage due to an acute gastric ulcer. Forty-three patients (48.8%) developed transient ascites which disappeared before they were discharged from the hospital. In thirteen patients (15.6%), the hemorrhage recurred. Of the 32 patients operated one to two years ago, only one rebled. Of the 35 patients operated three to five years ago, nine rebled and three, of the 16 patients operated from five to seven years ago, rebled. With radiological and endoscopic investigations, reduced varices were seen above the suture line, in many cases, passively filled up with blood returning from the azygos vein. Reflux esophagitis was observed in 17 patients who had had a Lortat-Jacob procedure to reduce the His angle; of these, eight rebled later. No gastroesophageal reflux was seen after Nissen or Lind's fundoplication. No fistulae, dysphagia or stenosis was observed.