Treatment of portal hypertension in children.

Esophageal transection by means of an anastomotic clip or button is a simple and useful approach to the management of haemorrhage due to esophageal varices. We have used this technique in four cases (three Prioton clips, and one autosuture) and completed the procedure with periesophageal, left gastric and fundal veins ligation. The patients have been followed up for periods ranging between five months and six years. No one has rebled. Splenoportographic controls showed good results of disconnection, and endoscopic follow up revealed variceal cure. There was no GER and in one single case we had to dilate for mild stenosis. This is a simple and effective procedure for the control of variceal haemorrhage in the short and middle ranges, and can induce cure directing portal flow through other alternative ways.