Survival after Portacaval Shunt: Who and how?

Abstract

In a series of 74 portacaval-shunted patients no statistically significant differences in long-term survival or in incidence of postoperative encephalopathy were observed between electively and emergency operated patients, between patients with slight and moderate impairment of liver function (groups A and B according to Child) or between patients with alcoholic and non-alcoholic cirrhosis. Patients older than 60 yr had a higher risk of postoperative encephalopathy and a significantly lower survival rate 6 mo. after the operation. Among the patients with more than 6 mo. survival, about 50% returned to work.