Results of esophageal transection for esophageal varices: experience in 100 cases.

The results of transthoracic esophageal transection in 100 patients with esophageal varices are described. There were 11 operative deaths in this series, and the majority of patients died from hepatic failure. Esophageal varices disappeared completely in 81 percent of the patients and faded in 18 percent. Post-transection rebleeding was observed in six cases. There were 16 late deaths, caused mainly by hepatic failure and hepatoma. The 3 year and 5 year survival rates includine mortality rate, the efficacy in eliminating varices and the sufficient survival rate, it is presumed that esophageal transection is the most suitable operation for esophageal varices, even in poor risk patients.