title: Distal splenorenal shunt versus transjugular intrahepatic portal systematic shunt for variceal bleeding: a randomized trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Variceal bleeding refractory to medical treatment with beta-blockers and endoscopic therapy can be managed by variceal decompression with either surgical shunts or transjugular intrahepatic portal systemic shunts (TIPS). This prospective randomized trial tested the hypothesis that patients receiving distal splenorenal shunts (DSRS) would have significantly lower rebleeding and encephalopathy rates than TIPS in management of refractory variceal bleeding.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective randomized controlled clinical trial at 5 centers was conducted. One hundred forty patients with Child-Pugh class A and B cirrhosis and refractory variceal bleeding were randomized to DSRS or TIPS. Protocol and event follow-up for 2-8 years (mean, 46 +/- 26 months) for primary end points of variceal bleeding and encephalopathy and secondary end points of death, ascites, thrombosis and stenosis, liver function, need for transplant, quality of life, and cost were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in rebleeding (DSRS, 5.5%; TIPS, 10.5%; P = .29) or first encephalopathy event (DSRS, 50%; TIPS, 50%). Survival at 2 and 5 years (DSRS, 81% and 62%; TIPS, 88% and 61%, respectively) were not significantly different (P = .87). Thrombosis, stenosis, and reintervention rates (DSRS, 11%; TIPS, 82%) were significantly (P < .001) higher in the TIPS group. Ascites, need for transplant, quality of life, and costs were not significantly different.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DSRS and TIPS are similarly efficacious in the control of refractory variceal bleeding in Child-Pugh class A and B patients. Reintervention is significantly greater for TIPS compared with DSRS. Because both procedures have equivalent outcomes, the choice is dependent on available expertise and ability to monitor the shunt and reintervene when needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. henderm@ccf.org
authors.forename: J Michael
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.forename: Thomas D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Boyer
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kutner
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Galloway
authors.forename: Layton F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Rikkers
authors.forename: Lennox J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Jeffers
authors.forename: Kareem
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abu-Elmagd
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Connor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019168:Portasystemic Shunt, Transjugular Intrahepatic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012008:Recurrence; D012016:Reference Values; D012086:Reoperation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013164:Splenorenal Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome