Porto-azygous devascularization for the treatment of portal hypertension

Objective To evaluate pericardial devascularization with splenectomy (PCDV) for the treatment of cirrhotic portal hypertension. Methods From January 1994 to December 2004, 177 patients were treated by PCDS, among them posthepatitic cirrhosis was identified in 170 cases, and alcoholic cirrhosis in 7. One hundred and thirty two patients were operated on electively, 25 prophylactically, and 20 emergently. Results The bleeding control rate was 95% , the overall operative mortality rate was 4. 5%. The main causes of death were upper gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatic failure and intra-abdomimal hemorrhage. The mean follow-up time was 3. 6 years. The 5-year survival rate was 90%. The 5-year recurrent bleeding rate was 5. 1% , The rate of postoperative hepatic encephalopathy was 5. 1%. Conclusions This procedure has the advantage of high successful rate of bleeding control, low complication rate, and long term survival.