Based on experience at their department since 1983 the authors analyze the position of the azygoportal disconnection in the treatment of complications of portal hypertension. During the observation period the number of operations declined due to extensive use of endoscopic diagnosis and treatment. However the azygoportal disconnection still remains part of surgical intervention in indicated cases, in particular in secondary hypersple- nism and profuse haemorrhage.

        Key words: portal hypertension – gastrooesophageal varices – azygoportal disconnection