Periesophagogastric devascularization without splenectomy in the treatment of portal hypertension

Gastroesophageal variceal bleeding is one of the major causes of death for patients with portal hypertension. The treatment of portal hypertension has evolved from surgery being the only option to the wide range of options currently available, including endoscopic sclerotherapy of varietals ligation, interventional radiology and surgery. Given the shortage of liver transplantation donors, devascularization would be one of the major treatments for portal hypertension for a considerable time. Based on the clinical experience of the People′s Hospital of Peking University, we think that peraesophagogastric devascularization without splenectomy is a better option for the treatment of portal hypertension, with less operation time, less intraoperative blood loss and fewer postoperative complications, and better short and long term hemostatic effect.