[Splenorenal arterial shunt in the surgical treatment of renovascular hypertension. Lumbo-retroperitoneal approach].

Experience with the arterial shunt spleno-renal technics, made by lumbotomy and retroperitoneal approach into a group of 31 patients is reported. The medium age of patients was 44 years. Twenty patients were men and 11 women. All of them presented severe vasculo-renal hypertension and 13 had signs of renal failure. All patients underwent an arterial shunt spleno-renal, recording a case of postoperative death (rate of hospitalary mortality 3.2%). The 30 survivor patients underwent a follow-up as external patients during a medium period of 57.3 months. Renal failure improved after surgical procedure in 12 cases between the 13 patients with such disorder. Arterial pressure returned to normal levels in 24 cases, improved in 5 cases and failed in 1 case. This latter patient was re-operated, underwent a renal autograft with successful results. Historical evolution of such surgical procedure, as well as its indications and advantages, are commented. A bibliographic review about the subject is made.