Role of liver function and portal vein congestion index on rebleeding in cirrhotics after distal splenorenal shunt

BACKGROUND: Bleeding from esophagogastric varices is the worst and most lethal complication of cirrhotic portal hypertension. Distal splenorenal shunt (Warrens surgery) is used in the therapeutic of this patients, Child A and B, with rebleeding after clinical endoscopic therapy. The portal vein congestion index is elevated in cirrhotic portal hypertension and could predict rebleeding after Warrens surgery in these patients. AIM: To verify if the portal vein congestion index or liver function (Child-Pugh) at preoperative are predictive factors of rebleeding after Warrens surgery. METHODS: Sixty-two cirrhotic patients were submitted to Warrens surgery at "Santa Casa" Medical School and Hospital - Liver and Portal Hypertension Unit, S?o Paulo, SP, Brazil. Fifty-eight were analyzed for Child-Pugh class and 36 for portal vein congestion index, divided in two groups: with or without rebleeding and statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: In the rebleeding group, 69% were Child B, with portal vein congestion index = 0.09. The group without rebleeding show us 62% patients Child A with portal vein congestion index = 0.076. The difference was significant for Child-Pugh class but not to portal vein congestion index. CONCLUSION: Portal vein congestion index was not predictive of rebleeding after Warrens surgery, but cirrhotics Child B have more chance to rebleed after this surgery than Child A.