Pericardial devascularization combined with preservation of Latarjet's nerves trunk in treatment of patients with portal hypertension.

Objective: To investigate the effect of pericardial devascularization combined with preservation of Latarjet's innervation on portal hypertension.

Methods: Sixty-two patients (57 men and 5 women) have been undergone pericardial devascularization combined with Latarjet's innervation since 1984. Clinical results and postoperative complications were evaluated.

Results: The incidence of upper-digestive tract bleeding was 3.2% (2 patients) within 1 month after operation. Four patients (6.5%) died within 1 month after operation (3 patients received emergency operation and 1 selective operation). Among them, 3 patients died from hepatic failure, and one patient from sepsis due to subphrentic infection. Among these deaths, 3 were evaluated Child's C. After operation, the number of patients with abdominal distension, sudden diarrhea and gastric retension was 7 (11.3%), 3 (4.8%) and 0, respectively.

Conclusion: Pericardial devascularization combined with Latarjet's innervation can preserve the normal function of gastric emptying, prevent acute lesion of the gastric mucosa, and reduce the incidence of esophageal varices rebleeding after operation.