Control of gastroesophageal bleeding varices by percutaneous transhepatic portography.

We used the transhepatic approach to the portal system to obliterate bleeding gastroesophageal varices as an alternative to portosystemic shunt performed as an emergency. In eight of 13 patients, we obtained complete arrest of bleeding, while rebleeding was observed in five patients. The shunt was performed upon six patients, and only one patient died. Transhepatic obliteration of varices seems to be the more useful method for the control of untractable hemorrhage and to prepare the patient for an elective operation.