Among 70 children with extrahepatic portal hypertension, more than 350 episodes of bleeding occurred. Of the 32 children who were not operated upon, six (19%) died of bleeding. Twelve children in the nonoperated group are thriving and well, although six of them have rebled 1-2 times. The operated group of 38 children had a total of 43 procedures. Central splenorenal and cavomesenteric anastomosis prevented further bleeding in 10 of 12 cases in which follow-up is available. Operative mortality was 24%, the majority of which were in emergency procedures.