Selective variceal decompression after splenectomy or splenic vein thrombosis. With a note on splenopancreatic disconnection.

Eight patients have had selective variceal decompression after a splenectomy or splenic vein thrombosis with successful control of bleeding. The principle veins utilized in these patients, either alone or in combination, were: (a) the splenic remnant, (b) the coronary, (c) the gastroepiploic, and (d) an inferior mesenteric that joined the splenic. High quality preoperative angiography is essential but operative exploration is often required to assess fully the possible shunt options. Simple splenectomy for thrombocytopenia in portal hypertension is rarely justifiable and creates far more problems than it solves. Complete splenopancreatic disconnection extends the selective shunt concept.