The Linton splenorenal shunt in the management of the bleeding complications of portal hypertension.

This report describes 140 cases in which Linton splenorenal shunts were performed for the management of the complications of portal hypertension by a large number of surgeons in a single hospital. There was a history of variceal bleeding in 130. Using the Childs designation to reflect hepatic functional reserve, the overall operative mortality was 12% (3 for A; 6 for B; 26 for C). Five-year survival was 41% (57 for A; 35 for B; 26 for C). Subsequent variceal bleeding was noted in 10% of survivors; hepatic encephalopathy in 19%; and terminal liver failure in 18%. Classification and results are reported in a form that should facilitate comparison with other methods of management.