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Abstract
A new operation for selective or total decompression of the portal venous system in
cases of intrahepatic portal hypertension is described. It involves interposition
of a large-caliber Dacron graft between the splenic vein and the inferior vena cava.
The graft-interposition splenocaval shunt is performed readily and quickly, satisfying
the variable hemodynamic needs of patients with portal hypertension. It can be either
selective (S-SCS) or total (T-SCS) from the beginning, or a T-SCS may be converted
subsequently to a S-SCS should surgically induced hepatic decompensation supervene.
It is less demanding technically than distal splenorenal shunt (D-SRS). The S-SCS
conserves portal venous perfusion of the liver, preserves hepatocellular function
and architecture at the preoperative levels, avoids precipitation of postshunt portalsystemic
encephalopathy, and decompresses gastric-esophageal varices with prevention of further
variceal bleeding even better than D-SRS. One hundred percent graft patency has been
obtained, and the surgical results have been superior to those following portacaval
shunt in patients with large liver blood flow and relative benignity of the liver
disease, be it cirrhosis or noncirrhotic portal fibrosis. In patients with advanced
cirrhosis, vanceal bleeding, and small liver blood flows, T-SCS would be indicated.
Patients of this category obtained inferior surgical results and had operative deaths
(16.7%) following S-SCS. The concept of the operation has merits and deserves further
evaluation.
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
March 31,
1977
Identification
Copyright
© 1978 Published by Elsevier Inc.