[Value and results of esophageal transsection in treatment of bleeding esophageal varices].

A report on 40 patients is given, who had to undergo esophageal transection due to bleeding varices. 17 patients were operated as an emergency, 23 patients had a prophylactic treatment. Mortality was high with 58.82% and 21.7% respectively. The need of blood replacement was higher in the emergencies. The main cause of death was liver failure, the average time of survival 40 months. We conclude that esophageal transection is of some value in cases of acute bleeding, after failure of non-interventional treatment.