[Mesocaval H shunt using an external iliac graft in the treatment of portal hypertension in children].

The authors reported four cases of mesocaval interposition shunt in children with autogenous vein graft. In three cases, external iliac vein was used as the graft because its appropriate size in diameter and length; for local reasons, jugular graft was used in last case. Post-operative controls by angiography in all patients except the one recent case showed a patent anastomosis; esophago gastric endoscopy three month post operatively in the last case showed regression of varices. External iliac vein is convenient to this shunt. Edema of the lower limb is minimal and well tolerated. The control of hypersplenism and esophogastric varices is progressive with time.