Esophageal stapler transection was performed in 15 patients with bleeding from the dilated esophageal veins in the period 1984-1988. In 7 patients operated on as urgent cases due to prolonged uncontrolled bleeding, the mortality was high--71.4%, contrary to the group of electively operated patients in whom the mortality was 12.5% with a low postoperative morbidity and successful prevention of repeated bleedings.