Noninvasive assessment of portosystemic shunting in extrahepatic portal hypertension in rats

A simple reproducible animal model of extrahepatic portal hypertension (EHPHT) has been developed in weanling Wistar rats using a two-stage ligation of the portal vein. This model consistently produces substantial collaterals, both portosystemic (hepatofugal) and portoportal (hepatopetal). Using dynamic hepatic scintigraphy (DHS) with 99mTechnetium sulphurcolloid, hepatopetal collateral flow was measured as the mesenteric fraction (MF) of total hepatic blood flow and compared with measurement of hepatofugal collateral flow (portosystemic shunting) following intraportal injection of radiolabeled microspheres. Strong and significant correlation between the two assessments was found with reduction in MF denoting increased portosystemic shunting (PSS). The technique of DHS has been used successfully in adults to assess compromised portal venous flow and is a simple noninvasive test to aid diagnosis, assessment, and follow-up of children with EHPHT.     

Chronic Portal Hypertension in the Rat by Triple-Portal Stenosing Ligation

A surgical technique based on the development of a triple stenosing ligation is used to worsen the complications inherent to the prehepatic chronic portal hypertension. The results have been compared with those obtained in rats with a single-portal stenosing ligation. An increase ( p < .05) in the body, liver, spleen, and kidney weights as well as a decrease ( p < .001) in the testes weight to body weight ratio were produced in both groups of animals. In addition, the variability in the obtained weights, particularly in the liver weight, stands out. The incidence of portosystemic and portohepatic collateral circulation and of the mesenteric venous vasculopathy increases in the animals with triple-portal stenosing ligation. The new proposed technique is a valid alternative to the classic one that used single portal stenosing ligation.     

Biliary fibrosis in microsurgical extrahepatic cholestasis in the rat

A new model of extrahepatic cholestasis, using a microsurgical technique, is performed as an alternative to the traditional model of the bile duct ligated-rat, in order to study the stage of fibrosis in the long-term. Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: I (Sham-operated, n = 9) and II [Microsurgical Cholestasis (MC), n = 10]. After 4 weeks, portal pressure, types of portosystemic collateral circulation, mesenteric venous vasculopathy, hepatic function test, and liver histopathology were studied by using the Knodell index and fibrosis was determined by reticulin and Sirius red stains. The animals with MC presented portal hypertension with extrahepatic portosistemic collateral circulation, associated with mesenteric venous vasculopathy and increased plasma levels of bilirubin (6.30 +/- 1.80 vs. 0.22 +/- 0.37 mg/dL; P = 0.0001), alkaline phosphatase (293.00 +/- 82.40 vs. 126.30 +/- 33.42 U/L; P = 0.001), AST (380.00 +/- 78.50 vs. 68.33 +/- 11.74 IU/L; P = 0.0001), ALT (87.60 +/- 22.32 vs. 42.22 +/- 7.89 IU/L; P = 0.0001), and LDH (697.76 +/- 75.13 vs. 384.80 +/- 100.03 IU/L; P = 0.0001). On the contrary, plasma levels of albumin decreased (2.72 +/- 0.12 mg/dl vs. 2.99 +/- 0.10; P = 0.001). The microsurgical resection of the extrahepatic biliary tract in the rat produces an experimental model of hepatic inflammation, characterized by a high Knodell hepatic activity index (4), bile proliferation, and fibrosis.     

Extrahepatic Portal Hypertension following Liver Transplantation: a Rare but Challenging Problem

This study reports our experience of 8 cases of extrahepatic portal hypertension after 273 orthotopic liver transplantations in 244 adult patients over a 10- year period. The main clinical feature was ascites, and the life-threatening complication was variceal bleeding. Extrahepatic portal hypertension was caused by portal vein stenosis in 6 patients, and left-sided portal hypertension in 2 patients after inadventent ligation of portal venous tributaries or portasystemic shunts. All patients with portal vein stenosis had complete relief of portal hypertension after percutaneous transhepatic venoplasty (n=4) or surgical reconstruction (n=2), after a median follow-up of 33 (range: 6–62) months. Of the 2 patients with left-sided portal hypertension, one died after splenectomy and one rebled 6 months after left colectomy. This study suggests that extrahepatic portal hypertension is a series complication after liver transplantation that could be prevented by meticulous portal anastomosis and closure of portal tributaries or portasystemic shunts to improve the portal venous flow. However, any ligation has to be performed under ultrasound guidance to avoid inadventent venous ligations.     

Living Donor Liver Transplantation for Congenital Absence of the Portal Vein

The congenital absence of the portal vein (CAPV) is a rare venous malformation in which mesenteric venous blood drains directly into the systemic circulation. Liver transplantation (OLT) may be indicated for patients with symptomatic CAPV refractory to medical treatment, especially due to hyperammonemia, portosystemic encephalopathy, hepatopulmonary syndrome, or hepatic tumors. Because portal hypertension and collateral circulation do not occur with CAPV, significant splanchnic congestion may occur when the portocaval shunt is totally clamped during portal vein (PV) reconstruction in OLT. This phenomenon results in severe bowel edema and hemodynamic instability, which negatively impact the patient's condition and postoperative recovery. We have successfully reconstructed the PV in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using a venous interposition graft, which was anastomosed end-to-side to the portocaval shunt by a partial side-clamp, using a patent round ligament of the liver, which was anastomosed end-to-end to the graft PV with preservation of both the portal and caval blood flows. Owing to the differences in anatomy among patients, at LDLT for CAPV liver transplant surgeons should seek to preserve both portal and caval blood flows.     

Chronic portal hypertension in the rat by triple-portal stenosing ligation.

A surgical technique based on the development of a triple stenosing ligation is used to worsen the complications inherent to the prehepatic chronic portal hypertension. The results have been compared with those obtained in rats with a single-portal stenosing ligation. An increase (p <.05) in the body, liver, spleen, and kidney weights as well as a decrease (p <.001) in the testes weight to body weight ratio were produced in both groups of animals. In addition, the variability in the obtained weights, particularly in the liver weight, stands out. The incidence of portosystemic and portohepatic collateral circulation and of the mesenteric venous vasculopathy increases in the animals with triple-portal stenosing ligation. The new proposed technique is a valid alternative to the classic one that used single portal stenosing ligation.     

双源CT肝静脉和门静脉成像在经颈静脉肝内门体分流术术前的应用

目的探讨双源CT肝静脉和门静脉成像在经颈静脉肝内门体分流术（TIPS）前的临床应用价值。方法门静脉高压合并上消化道出血或大量腹水的28例肝硬化患者接受双源CT门静脉成像,采用最大密度投影（MIP）、多平面重建（MPR）、容积再现（VR）和表面遮盖显示（SSD）等后处理技术判断肝静脉及门静脉的显示情况、分支走行及二者的关系。结果 28例患者均成功完成双源CT肝静脉和门静脉成像,能够清晰显示肝静脉1～3级以上分支及门静脉的解剖变异,MIP、MPR及VR重建图像可以直观地评价门静脉和肝静脉的位置、管径,并了解门静脉高压侧支循环的分布范围和程度。双源CT门静脉成像有助于TIPS术前定位。结论双源CT门静脉成像是无创性检查门静脉和肝静脉的可靠方法 ,为TIPS术前制定个体化手术方案提供了依据,具有较高的临床应用价值。     

Extrahepatic portal hypertension treated by anastomosing inferior mesenteric vein to left portal vein at Rex recessus

For the treatment of recurrent bleeding despite sclerotherapy or clinically significant hypersplenism, portosystemic shunt procedures should be performed in cases of extrahepatic portal hypertension caused by extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis. A novel alternative to portosystemic shunt procedures in extrahepatic portal hypertension is mesenterico-left portal bypass. Portal vein thrombosis is bypassed by an autologous vein graft (usually left internal jugular vein) interposed between superior mesenteric vein and left portal vein. In the presence of an enlarged right gastroepiploic vein, the distal end of this vein can be anastomosed to left portal vein without disturbing its proximal end. Herein, the authors report a case of extrahepatic portal hypertension treated by anastomosing enlarged inferior mesenteric vein to left portal vein to bypass portal vein thrombosis.     

Bariatric Surgery in Patients with Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension

Introduction

Studies on bariatric patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension are limited. The aim of this study was to review our experience in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension who had bariatric surgery.

Method

All cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension who underwent laparoscopic bariatric surgery, from 2007 to 2017, were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Thirteen patients were included; eight (62%) were female. The median age was 54 years (interquartile range, IQR 49–60) and median BMI was 48 kg/m² (IQR 43–55). Portal hypertension was diagnosed based on endoscopy (n?=?5), imaging studies (n?=?3), intraoperative increased collateral circulation (n?=?2), and endoscopy and imaging studies (n?=?3). The bariatric procedures included sleeve gastrectomy (n?=?10, 77%) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n?=?3, 23%). The median length of hospital stay was 3 days (IQR 2–4). Three 30-day complications occurred including wound infection (n?=?1), intra-abdominal hematoma (n?=?1), and subcutaneous hematoma (n?=?1). No intraoperative or 30-day mortalities. There were 11 patients (85%) at 1-year follow-up and 9 patients (69%) at 2-year follow-up. At 2 years, the median percentage of excess weight loss (EWL) and total weight loss (TWL) were 49 and 25%, respectively. There was significant improvement in diabetes (100%), dyslipidemia (100%), and hypertension (50%) at 2 years after surgery.

Conclusion

Bariatric surgery in selected cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension is relatively safe and effective.

     

Radioisotopic splenoportography in patients with portal hypertension

Radio-isotopic splenoportography was performed by injecting^99mTcO₄ ⁻ into the spleens of 46 patients with portal hypertension and 14 patients with various disorders not having portal hypertension. No collateral circulation was demonstrated in the 14 patients without portal hypertension whereas some RI-images of portosystemic collaterals were found in 40 (87.0 per cent) of the 46 patients with portal hypertension. Collaterals were divided into an ascending group and a descending group, the appearance rate of ascending collaterals being 80.4 per cent and that of descending collaterals, 41.3 per cent. There were 3 image patterns in the ascending group, namely, an AZ-pattern in which the azygos vein was demonstrated; a SC-pattern in which the RI-bolus ascended along the esophagus to the neck and the subclavian vein; and an EG-pattern which showed stagnation of the RI-bolus in the esophagogastric region. There were 4 patterns in the descending group, namely; a pattern of gastro-renal caval shunt (GR-pattern); reverse flow patterns into the umbilical or paraumbilical veins (UV-pattern); into the superior mesenteric vein (SMV-pattern); and into the inferior mesenteric vein (IMV-pattern). The appearance of the EG-pattern was seen most frequently (74.4 per cent). The usefulness of this method for surveying the collateral circulation in portal hypertension, estimating the risk of esophageal variceal bleeding and evaluating its treatments, was suggested by the results of this study.     

Pattern of Venous Collateral Development After Splenic Vein Occlusion in an Extended Whipple Procedure Comparison with Collateral Vein Pattern in Cases of Sinistral Portal Hypertension

Introduction  

The risks of developing sinistral portal hypertension as a result of occlusion of the splenic vein close to its termination during a Whipple procedure are unclear. Our purpose was to compare the pattern of venous collateral development after splenic vein ligation in an extended Whipple procedure with the pattern of collateral development in cases of sinistral portal hypertension.     

Treatment of extrahepatic portal hypertension in children by mesenteric-to-left portal vein bypass: a new physiological procedure.

OBJECTIVE: To achieve hepatic portal revascularisation and decompression of extrahepatic portal hypertension in children with cavernoma and obstruction caused by idiopathic portal vein thrombosis. DESIGN: Selected cases. SETTING: Teaching hospitals. Belgium and Italy. SUBJECTS: 11 children who weighed between 5.9 and 54 kg (2 emergencies) with symptomatic extrahepatic portal hypertension. INTERVENTION: Interposition of venous autograft between the superior mesenteric vein and the distal (umbilical) portion of the left portal vein. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Improvements in symptoms and endoscopic appearance after operation. RESULTS: 2 bypasses had to be redone because they stenosed; all 11 were patent at the time of writing (median follow-up 6 months, range 1-32 months). CONCLUSION: The bypass effectively relieved symptoms of extrahepatic portal hypertension by restoring normal hepatic portal blood flow.     

经TIPS途径造影观察肝硬化门静脉高压失代偿期患者门体静脉侧支血管

目的探讨经TIPS途径门静脉属支置管造影观察肝硬化门静脉高压失代偿期(DCPH)门体静脉间侧支血管(PSCV)的可行性及其造影表现。方法回顾性分析经临床确诊为DCPH并接受TIPS治疗的274例患者的资料。术中均经TIPS途径置管至肠系膜上静脉和脾静脉,行门静脉DSA造影。基于造影表现,对PSCV进行分类,并描述其特点。结果对274例患者均成功完成TIPS治疗及门静脉属支造影,根据PSCV在门静脉系统的起源部位,可将其分为4种类型:①门静脉分支型,占2.55%(7/274),为向肝血流且以分流为主;②门静脉主干型,占23.36%(64/274),为离肝血流且血流量较大;③门静脉属支型,占12.77%(35/274),为离肝血流且汇入体循环的途径较多;④混合型,占61.31%(168/274),为门静脉系多起源参与PSCV供血。结论经TIPS途径对DCPH患者进行门静脉属支置管DSA造影安全、可行,可显示PSCV的起源及其分型。各型PSCV具有不同的血流动力学特点。     

Living donor liver transplantation for congenital absence of the portal vein in a child with cardiac failure

Congenital absence of the portal vein (CAPV) requires liver transplantation when encephalopathy develops. However, transplantation has technical difficulties because no collateral circulation exists except for the portosystemic shunt. Ligating the shunt will cause disastrous mesenteric venous congestion. We report a 19-month-old female infant with CAPV, who had portosystemic encephalopathy and cardiac failure, and underwent living donor liver transplantation with a partial clamp technique using a vein graft. This is the first case of successful liver transplantation for CAPV with cardiac failure.     

Azygos venous blood flow in portal hypertension

Azygos venous blood flow estimated by the continuous thermodilution method was measured in 48 patients with portal hypertension. In patients with cirrhosis, azygos venous blood flow was 326 +/- 139ml/min (mean SD) and was significantly higher than in patients without portal hypertension (163 +/- 61ml/min). In patients with idiopathic portal hypertension and extrahepatic portal obstruction, azygos venous blood flow was 411 +/- 227ml/min and 328 +/- 85ml/min respectively. Azygos venous blood flow was significantly correlated with the hepatic venous pressure gradient but neither with cardiac output nor with size of esophageal varices. In eleven cirrhotic patients, azygos venous blood flow and other hemodynamic parameters were measured before and after the nonshunting operation of esophageal transection, splenectomy and esophagogastric devascularization. Azygos venous blood flow and hepatic venous pressure gradient were significantly reduced after operation. On the other hand, cardiac output did not change significantly after surgical procedure. Relatively high postoperative azygos venous blood flow indicates its important role in the postoperative collateral circulation.     

Successful Treatment by Balloon Angioplasty Under Portography for Late-Onset Stenosis of Portal Vein After Cadaveric Liver Transplantation

A 69-year-old woman, who underwent cadaveric liver transplantation for non-B, non-C liver cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma in April 2009, was admitted to our hospital because of graft dysfunction. Enhanced computed tomography revealed stenosis of the left branch of the portal vein, obstruction of the right branch of the portal vein at porta hepatis, and esophagogastric varices. Balloon angioplasty of the left branch of the portal vein under transsuperior mesenteric venous portography was performed by minilaparotomy. After dilatation of the left branch of the portal vein, the narrow segment of the portal vein was dilated, which resulted in reduction of collateral circulation. At 7 days after balloon angioplasty, esophageal varices were improved. The patient made a satisfactory recovery, was discharged 8 days after balloon angioplasty, and remains well.     

腹腔镜微创技术在门脉高压症外科治疗中瓶颈与术式变迁

门静脉高压症大多是由肝脏自身病变、肝内外胆管疾病、门静脉血管病变等引起的一类症候群。门静脉高压常常引起严重的临床症状体征,主要有脾大、脾功能亢进充血性脾大、大量腹水形成、门体侧枝循环的形成、门静脉高压性胃肠血管病(portalhypertensivegastrointestinalvasculopathy,PHGIV)、肝性脑病。其中上消化道出血是最严重的并发症。临床治疗方法多是以控制上消化道出血、提高患者的生存质量为目的。内科治疗方法中包括药物硬化、内镜套扎及介入栓塞治疗。外科治疗方法包括活体肝脏移植、分流术、断流术三种。由于我国活体供肝资源短缺,到目前为止肝脏移植开展的医院并不是很多且技术并不成熟。目前公认且可取的断流术是贲门周围离断术联合脾切除术,分流术是选择性远端脾肾分流术。传统开腹手术创伤较大、术后恢复时间较长、术后并发症多。随着腔镜外科的迅猛发展,微创外科如同核武器般占据着手术发展的主流,所以一个敞亮的切口已经不再是解决一个复杂手术的好武器。目前越来越多的门静脉高压患者接受腹腔镜微创技术的治疗,但是仍然缺少大样本的临床研究。因此,尚需要进行大样本、多中心的临床和循证医学研究,旨在为门静脉高压的外科治疗提供治疗策略,为临床应用和研究提供基础。     

Gastric portal hypertension.

Extrahepatic portal hypertension may spontaneously decompress by routes which produce gastric or esophageal portal hypertension. A syndrome of gastric portal hypertension has been identified in five patients with extrahepatic portal obstruction and gastric variceal hemorrhage. Patients were nonalcoholic with good liver function who had tolerated previous bleeding episodes well. Endoscopy and upper gastrointestinal series were not helpful in diagnosing bleeding gastric varices. The definitive diagnostic test was venous phase mesenteric arteriography of the gas-distended stomach, with confirmation of the bleeding site by splenoportography. Portosystemic shunting in two patients and splenectomy in three patients failed to stop gastric variceal bleeding. Emergency total gastrectomy was required in two patients and suture ligation in a third to prevent exigent bleeding.Gastric portal hypertension should be suspected in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding and good liver function. Since there is no standard therapy, recurrent bleeding requiring multiple operations is common. Determination of both location of obstruction and route of decompression are prerequisites to choosing the correct operation. Portocaval shunts in two patients failed to provide effective decompression due to compartmentalization of the portal hypertension to the gastric venous bed. In patients with a patent splenic vein, a distal splenorenal shunt may be effective. However, with splenic vein occlusion splenectomy may be ineffective, and a direct approach such as total gastrectomy or variceal ligation may be necessary to prevent exsanguination.     

Renoportal anastomosis in right lobe living donor liver transplantation: report of a case

End-stage liver disease is often accompanied by thrombosis of the portal vein and the formation of splanchnic collateral vessels. Successful liver transplantation in such situations is more likely if the surgeon uses a strategy to establish a graft inflow. A 59-year-old male with a decompensated liver secondary to idiopathic portal hypertension underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using a right lobe liver graft donated from his son. His portal venous trunk was atrophied and a splenorenal shunt drained the mesenteric venous flow into the systemic circulation. LDLT was performed with renoportal anastomosis (RPA) using his right internal jugular vein as an interposed venous graft, without dissecting the collateral vessels. Although he developed temporary functional hyperbilirubinemia, he was discharged from the hospital 23 days after LDLT. This case suggests that RPA is a useful technique to manage patients with an obstructed portal vein and a splenorenal shunt.     

Radioisotopic splenoportography in patients with portal hypertension

Radio-isotopic splenoportography was performed by injecting 99mTcO4- into the spleens of 46 patients with portal hypertension and 14 patients with various disorders not having portal hypertension. No collateral circulation was demonstrated in the 14 patients without portal hypertension whereas some RI-images of portosystemic collaterals were found in 40 (87.0 per cent) of the 46 patients with portal hypertension. Collaterals were divided into an ascending group and a descending group, the appearance rate of ascending collaterals being 80.4 per cent and that of descending collaterals, 41.3 per cent. There were 3 image patterns in the ascending group, namely, an AZ-pattern in which the azygos vein was demonstrated; a SC-pattern in which the RI-bolus ascended along the esophagus to the neck and the subclavian vein; and an EG-pattern which showed stagnation of the RI-bolus in the esophagogastric region. There were 4 patterns in the descending group, namely; a pattern of gastro-renal caval shunt (GR-pattern); reverse flow patterns into the umbilical or paraumbilical veins (UV-pattern); into the superior mesenteric vein (SMV-pattern); and into the inferior mesenteric vein (IMV-pattern). The appearance of the EG-pattern was seen most frequently (74.4 per cent). The usefulness of this method for surveying the collateral circulation in portal hypertension, estimating the risk of esophageal variceal bleeding and evaluating its treatments, was suggested by the results of this study.