Portal vein thrombosis of the adolescent: indications for autologous internal jugular vein interposition meso-caval shunt.

Endoscopic sclerotherapy is now the treatment of first choice for oesophageal varices. However, in spite of its efficiency and safety, recurrent bleeding remains possible and oesophageal sclerosis does not cure other potentially incapacitating symptoms related to portal hypertension. This report describes four adolescents with prehepatic hypertension for whom sclerotherapy was inadequate. They were treated successfully by an autologous internal jugular vein interposition mesocaval shunt. This operation is safe, decompresses the whole splanchnic territory and obviates the need for long term endoscopic surveillance.