Nahara 2001.

Methods	Randomised trial. A. Generation of allocation sequence: unclear. No information. B. Allocation concealment: adequate. Sealed, opaque envelopes. C. Blinding: unclear. No information. D. Follow‐up: adequate. Inclusion of all randomised participants at evaluation: yes. Time from bleeding episode to randomisation (mean, S.D) = TIPS (19.1,2 days), ET (17.9,1.9). Time from randomisation to treatment (mean, SD) = Not clear. Total number of patients evaluated = 101 Randomised to TIPS = 38, randomised to ET = 40. Adequate reasons provided for those not randomised = yes. One patient in ET group crossed over to TIPS during follow‐up. Follow‐up period in days (mean, SD) TIPS (1116,92) ET (1047,102) Assessment of suitability for shunt carried out prior to randomisation = no. Shunt patency assessed with Duplex scanning. Method of Child's grading = Child‐Pugh, however, patients were not stratified according to the Child‐Pugh system. Method of Encephalopathy testing = Parson Smith criteria. Rebleeding episodes endoscopically verified = yes. Specified whether rebleeding episode clinically significant = not stated.
Participants	Inclusions: cirrhosis with recent variceal haemorrhage, clinical stability at randomisation, age between 20 to 69 years. Exclusion criteria: hepatocellular carcinoma, episodes of chronic encephalopathy, portal vein thrombosis, Child‐Pugh > 13, serum creatinine >2.5 milligram per decilitre, serum bilirubin > 5 milligram per decilitre, active infection and severe cardiopulmonary disease.
Interventions	ET: Sclerotherapy using 5% ethanolamine TIPS: Rosch‐Uchida as well as wall stents (8 to 10 mm).
Outcomes	Rebleeding. Death. Hepatic encephalopathy. Complications.
Notes
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Allocation concealment?	Low risk	A ‐ Adequate