Treatment of variceal hemorrhage in children.

The etiology and management of portal hypertension in infants and children differ from those in adults. Both the plan of management and the prognosis of portal hypertension vary considerably depending upon the nature of the underlying pathologic process. It is essential to determine the type of obstruction as accurately as possible before definitive treatment is initiated. This article considers the management of extrahepatic, intrahepatic, and suprahepatic portal venous obstruction; treatment of the unshuntable patient; portosystemic shunts; and liver transplantation.