Objective To explor the operative method of modified pericardial devascularization and compare the effects of modified pericardial devascularization and traditional pericardial devascularization on esophageal gastric varices of liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension. Methods The clinical data of 35 patients receiving modified pericardial devascularization (MED group) and 35 patients receiving traditional pericardial devascularization (ED group) were retrospectively analyzed . Results The operating time in MED group was significantly lower than that in ED group:(182 ± 30)min vs.(220 ± 30) min, P<0.05. The blood loss in MED group was significantly lower than that in ED group:(200 ± 15) ml vs. (300 ± 100) ml, P<0.05. Early complication rate in MED group was significantly lower than that in ED group:5.7%(2/35) vs. 22.9%(8/35), P<0.05. The esophageal gastric varices of patients who were followed up in MED group and ED group were almost equal (P>0.05). Conclusions The operating time, blood loss and early complication rate in modified pericardial devascularization is better than traditional pericardial devascularization. There is no significant difference in long-term efficacy between two methods.