Esophagoscopy and gastroscopy should be obtained routinely along with appropriate barium studies of the esophagus and stomach. Hepatosplanchnic hemodynamics can be determined by estimation of total hepatic blood flow, liver scan, hepatic vein catheterization, splenoportography, indirect portography, and visceral angiography. Total hepatic blood flow can be estimated using radionuclide scanning. Using hepatic vein catheterization, it is possible to determine the degree of portal hypertension and the amount of hepatopetal portal blood flow. Splenoportography is usually the single best source of estimating portal hemodynamics. Prerequisites for this study are that prothrombin time be less than 1.5 times normal and the operating room be available, should trouble from hemorrhage develop. This study will reveal the degree of portal hypertension, and according to the degree of opacification of the portal vein, it can give valuable information concerning the degree of compromise of portal blood flow to the liver. Information obtained from these hemodynamic studies may influence the choice of shunt to be performed.