[Inferior mesocaval shunt].

The results of inferior mesenteric vein-inferior vena cava shunt coupled with splenectomy and gastroesophageal devascularization in 16 patients with cirrhotic portal hypertention were reviewed. The mean diameter of the shunt stoma was 6.46 +/- 0.78 mm, and the portal pressure decreased from 4.25 +/- 0.54 kPa to 3.39 +/- 0.41 kPa. Variceal bleeding stopped in all 16 patients with no severe postoperative complications. This procedure should preserve satisfactory portal perfusion to the liver, and technically is easier than other shunt procedures.