Duodenal Varices Treated by Portacaval Shunt

BLEEDING from esophageal varices in patients with portal hypertension and cirrhosis of the liver is not an uncommon occurrence. Bleeding from duodenal varices in patients with portal hypertension and cirrhosis of the liver must be recognized quite infrequently since only five previous case reports have been found in the literature. Perchik and Max¹from Strong Memorial Hospital reported in detail on a patient with bleeding duodenal varices associated with portal hypertension and cirrhosis of the liver, but unfortunately, the patient bled to death before portasystemic shunt could be achieved. Alberti²reported three cases of duodenal varices in 1931 and described the radiological findings. He also reported³a fourth case in which the patient was operated upon and treated by gastrojejunostomy. Bleeding occurred on four occasions subsequent to operation, but the patient was alive one year later. The cases to be reported here were not diagnosed preoperatively. In