Portal Vein Bypass
Portal Vein Bypass
Definition
Purpose
Demographics
Description
Diagnosis/Preparation
Aftercare
Risks
Normal results
Morbidity and mortality rates
Alternatives
Definition
Portal vein bypass surgery diverts blood from the portal vein into another vein. It is performed when pressure in the portal vein is so high that it causes internal bleeding from blood vessels in the esophagus (the tube that brings food from the mouth to the stomach).
Purpose
The portal vein carries blood from the stomach and abdominal organs to the liver. It is a major vein that splits into many branches. In people with liver failure and cirrhosis, a chronic degenerative liver disease causing irreversible scarring of the liver, the liver is incapable of processing blood from the bowels. As a result, an abnormally high pressure develops in the veins that drain blood from the bowels as the body tries to form other channels for the blood to empty into the main circulation. These channels consist of fragile veins that surround the esophagus, stomach, or other areas of the digestive tract. Because of the fragility of these veins, they are prone to rupturing, which can result in massive amounts of bleeding. The abnormally high pressure within the veins draining into the liver, called portal hypertension, can also result in the formation of fluid seeping from the surface of the liver and collecting in large quantities in the abdominal cavity, a condition known as ascites.
Massive internal bleeding caused by portal hypertension occurs in about 40% of patients with cirrhosis. It is initially fatal in at least half of these patients. Patients who survive are likely to experience bleeding recurrence. Portal vein bypass, also called portacaval shunting, is performed on these surviving patients to control bleeding.
The purpose of portal vein bypass surgery is to lower portal hypertension by shunting blood away from the portal venous system and into the main venous system.
Demographics
Cirrhosis of the liver is caused by chronic liver disease. Common causes of chronic liver disease in the United States include hepatitis C infection and long-term alcohol abuse. Men and women are equally affected, but onset is earlier in men.
Description
Different portal vein bypass procedures are available. The surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes an abdominal incision and locates the portal vein. In portacaval shunting, blood from the portal vein is diverted into the inferior vena cava (one of the main veins leading back to the heart). This is the most common type of bypass. In splenorenal shunting, the splenic vein (a part of the portal vein) is connected to the renal (kidney) vein. A mesocaval shunt connects the superior mesenteric vein (another part of the portal vein) to the inferior vena cava.
Another procedure, called tranjugular intrahe-patic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), has become the favored surgical approach. A TIPS is performed
KEY TERMS
Ascites— Fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity caused by fluid leaks from the surface of the liver and intestine.
Cirrhosis— A chronic degenerative liver disease causing irreversible scarring of the liver.
Inferior vena cava— A large vein that returns blood from the legs, pelvis, and abdomen to the heart.
Portal hypertension— Abnormally high pressure within the veins draining into the liver.
Portal vein— A large vein that carries blood from the stomach and intestines to the liver.
Varices— Uneven, permanent dilation of veins.
through a small nick in the skin, working through specialized instruments that are passed through the body using an x-ray camera for guidance. The TIPS procedure creates a shunt within the liver itself, by linking the portal vein with a vein draining away from the liver together with a device called a stent, which acts as a scaffold to support the connection between these two veins inside the liver.
Diagnosis/Preparation
A radiologist assesses patients for bypass surgery based on their medical history, physical examination, blood work, and liver imaging studies performed using computed tomagraphy (CT) scans, ultrasounds, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and in consultation with the treating gastroenterologist, hepatologist, or surgeon.
Standard preoperative blood and urine tests are also performed. The heart and arterial blood pressure are monitored both during and after the operation.
Aftercare
The patient is connected to a heart monitor and fed through a nasogastric tube. Vital functions are monitored through blood and urine tests. Patients receive pain medication and antibiotics . Once released from the hospital, patients are expected to abstain from alcohol and to follow a diet and medication schedule designed to reduce the risks of bleeding.
Risks
Portal vein bypass surgery is high risk because it is performed on patients who are generally in poor
WHO PERFORMS THE PROCEDURE AND WHERE IS IT PERFORMED?
Portal vein bypass surgery is performed by a surgeon specialized in gastroenterology or hepatology in a hospital setting, very often as an emergency operation.
health. Those patients who survive the operation still face the risk of heart failure, brain disease due to a decrease in the liver’s conversion of waste products (liver encephalopathy), hemorrhage, lung complications, infection, coma, and death.
Normal results
More than 90% of patients that undergo TIPS to prevent bleeding from varices will have a relief in their symptoms and experience little to no bleeding after surgery. When TIPS is performed for ascites, 60–80% of people will have relief in their ascites. The survival rate is directly related to the amount of liver damage patients have; the less damage, the more likely the patient is to recover. Cooperation with restrictions on alcohol and diet affect long-term survival.
Morbidity and mortality rates
Liver cirrhosis is a major medical problem worldwide and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality from its complications such as liver cell insufficiency and portal hypertension with ascites and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Alternatives
Before resorting to bypass surgery, physicians first attempt to treat portal hypertension with medications known as nonselective beta-blockers. These medications need to be taken daily to produce an effect and some patients may not be able to remain on beta-blocker therapy if they develop side effects. Other patients on beta-blocker therapy also remain at risk for bleeding from varices and from ascites.
Another approach is to seal off the veins to prevent rupturing. In sclerotherapy, a camera (endoscope) is passed down through the esophagus to inject the abnormal veins with substances that close them off. This can also be achieved with variceal band ligation, a procedure by which the abnormal veins are tied off with small rubber bands. Although sclerotherapy and variceal
QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR
- What are the possible complications involved in portal vein bypass surgery?
- Why is the surgery required?
- Are there any alternatives?
- What type of anesthesia will be used?
- How is the surgery performed?
- How long will I be in the hospital?
- How much portal vein bypass surgery do you perform in a year?
band ligation are very effective in targeting the abnormal and fragile veins around the esophagus, they do not lower the pressure of the blood inside the portal venous system. Thus, portal hypertension may still result in fluid accumulation inside the abdominal cavity, or in bleeding.
The best approach to relieve portal hypertension within a patient is by replacing their liver with a new one capable of filtering the blood. However, not many patients are suitable candidates for a liver transplant.
Resources
BOOKS
Feldman, M, et al.. Sleisenger & Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 8th ed. St. Louis: Mosby, 2005.
Khatri, VP and JA Asensio. Operative Surgery Manual. 1st ed. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2003.
Townsend, CM et al. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 17th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2004.
PERIODICALS
Fuchs, J., et al. “Mesenterico-left Portal Vein Bypass in Children with Congenital Extrahepatic Portal Vein Thrombosis: A Unique Curative Approach.” Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition 36 (February 2003): 213–216.
ORGANIZATIONS
American College of Surgeons. 633 N. Saint Clair St., Chicago, IL 60611. (312) 202-5000. http://www.faacs.org.
Society for Vascular Surgery. 900 Cummings Center, Beverly, MA 01915-1314. (978) 927-8330. <http://svs.vasculaweb.org>.
OTHER
“Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension.” Family Doctor. <http://familydoctor.org/handouts/188.html>.
Tish Davidson, AM
Monique Laberge, PhD
Portal Vein Bypass
Portal vein bypass
Definition
Portal vein bypass surgery diverts blood from the portal vein into another vein. It is performed when pressure in the portal vein is so high that it causes internal bleeding from blood vessels in the esophagus.
Purpose
The portal vein carries blood from the stomach and abdominal organs to the liver. It is a major vein that splits into many branches. In people with liver failure and cirrhosis, a chronic degenerative liver disease causing irreversible scarring of the liver, the liver is incapable of processing blood from the bowels. As a result, an abnormally high pressure develops in the veins that drain blood from the bowels as the body tries to form other channels for the blood to empty into the main circulation. These channels consist of fragile veins that surround the esophagus, stomach, or other areas of the digestive tract. Because of the fragility of these veins, they are prone to rupturing, which can result in massive amounts of bleeding. The abnormally high pressure within the veins draining into the liver, called portal hypertension, can also result in the formation of fluid seeping from the surface of the liver and collecting in large quantities in the abdominal cavity, a condition known as ascites.
Massive internal bleeding caused by portal hypertension occurs in about 40% of patients with cirrhosis. It is initially fatal in at least half of these patients. Patients who survive are likely to experience bleeding recurrence. Portal vein bypass, also called portacaval shunting, is performed on these surviving patients to control bleeding.
The purpose of portal vein bypass surgery is to lower portal hypertension by shunting blood away from the portal venous system and into the main venous system.
Demographics
Cirrhosis of the liver is caused by chronic liver disease. Common causes of chronic liver disease in the United States include hepatitis C infection and long-term alcohol abuse. Men and women are equally affected, but onset is earlier in men.
Description
Different portal vein bypass procedures are available. The surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes an abdominal incision and locates the portal vein. In portacaval shunting, blood from the portal vein is diverted into the inferior vena cava (one of the main veins leading back to the heart). This is the most common type of bypass. In splenorenal shunting, the splenic vein (a part of the portal vein) is connected to the renal (kidney) vein. A mesocaval shunt connects the superior mesenteric vein (another part of the portal vein) to the inferior vena cava.
Another procedure, called transvenous intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), has become the favored surgical approach. A TIPS is performed through a small nick in the skin, working through specialized instruments that are passed through the body using an x ray camera for guidance. The TIPS procedure creates a shunt within the liver itself, by linking the portal vein with a vein draining away from the liver together with a device called a stent, which acts as a scaffold to support the connection between these two veins inside the liver.
Diagnosis/Preparation
A radiologist assesses patients for bypass surgery based on their medical history, physical examination , blood work, and liver imaging studies performed using computed tomagraphy (CT) scans, ultrasounds, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and in consultation with the treating gastroenterologist, hepatologist, or surgeon.
Standard preoperative blood and urine tests are also performed. The heart and arterial blood pressure are monitored both during and after the operation.
Aftercare
The patient is connected to a heart monitor and fed through a nasogastric tube. Vital functions are monitored through blood and urine tests. Patients receive pain medication and antibiotics . Once released from the hospital, patients are expected to abstain from alcohol and to follow a diet and medication schedule designed to reduce the risks of bleeding.
Risks
Portal vein bypass surgery is high risk because it is performed on patients who are generally in poor health. Only half the patients survive, although the chances of survival are greater with TIPS surgery. The rate of serious complications in TIPS is only 1–2%. Those patients who survive the operation still face the risk of heart failure, brain disease due to a decrease in the liver's conversion of waste products (liver encephalopathy), hemorrhage, lung complications, infection, coma, and death.
Normal results
More than 90% of patients that undergo TIPS to prevent bleeding from varices will have a relief in their symptoms and experience little to no bleeding after surgery. When TIPS is performed for ascites, 60–80% of people will have relief in their ascites. The survival rate is directly related to the amount of liver damage patients have; the less damage, the more likely the patient is to recover. Cooperation with restrictions on alcohol and diet affect long-term survival.
Morbidity and mortality rates
Liver cirrhosis is a major medical problem worldwide and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality from its complications such as liver cell insufficiency and portal hypertension with ascites and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Alternatives
Before resorting to bypass surgery, physicians first attempt to treat portal hypertension with medications known as nonselective beta-blockers. These medications need to be taken daily to produce an effect and some patients may not be able to remain on beta-blocker therapy if they develop side effects. Other patients on beta-blocker therapy also remain at risk for bleeding from varices and from ascites.
Another approach is to seal off the veins to prevent rupturing. In sclerotherapy, a camera (endoscope) is passed down through the esophagus to inject the abnormal veins with substances that close them off. This can also be achieved with variceal band ligation, a procedure by which the abnormal veins are tied off with small rubber bands. Although sclerotherapy and variceal band ligation are very effective in targeting the abnormal and fragile veins around the esophagus, they do not lower the pressure of the blood inside the portal venous system. Thus, portal hypertension may still result in fluid accumulation inside the abdominal cavity, or in bleeding.
The best approach to relieve portal hypertension within a patient is by replacing their liver with a new one capable of filtering the blood. However, not many patients are suitable candidates for a liver transplant.
See also Liver transplantation; Sclerotherapy for esophageal varices.
Resources
books
Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment, 1998, 37th Edition. Edited by Stephen McPhee, et al. Stamford: Appleton & Lange, 1997.
"Stomach and Duodenum." In Current Surgical Diagnosis and Treatment, 10th Edition. Edited by Lawrence W. Way. Stamford: Appleton & Lange, 1994.
periodicals
Bambini, D. A., R. Superina, P. S. Almond, P. F. Whitington, and E. Alonso. "Experience with the Rex Shunt (Mesenterico-left Portal Bypass) in Children with Extrahepatic Portal Hypertension." Journal of Pediatric Surgery 35 (January 2000): 13–18.
Fuchs, J., et al. "Mesenterico-left Portal Vein Bypass in Children with Congenital Extrahepatic Portal Vein Thrombosis: A Unique Curative Approach." Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition 36 (February 2003): 213–216.
de Ville de Goyet, J., et al. "Treatment of Extrahepatic Portal Hypertension in Children by Mesenteric-to-left Portal Vein Bypass: A New Physiological Procedure." European Journal of Surgery 165 (August 1999): 777–781.
organizations
American College of Surgeons. 633 N. Saint Clair St., Chicago, IL 60611. (312) 202-5000. <http://www.faacs.org>.
Society for Vascular Surgery. 900 Cummings Center, Beverly, MA 01915-1314. (978) 927-8330. <http://svs.vasculaweb.org>.
other
"Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension." Family Doctor. <http://familydoctor.org/handouts/188.html>.
Tish Davidson, AM Monique Laberge, PhD
WHO PERFORMS THE PROCEDURE AND WHERE IS IT PERFORMED?
Portal vein bypass surgery is performed by a surgeon specialized in gastroenterology or hepatology in a hospital setting, very often as an emergency operation.
QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR
- What are the possible complications involved in portal vein bypass surgery?
- Why is the surgery required?
- Are there any alternatives?
- What type of anesthesia will be used?
- How is the surgery performed?
- How long will I be in the hospital?
- How much portal vein bypass surgery do you perform in a year?
Portal Vein Bypass
Portal Vein Bypass
Definition
Portal vein bypass surgery diverts blood from the portal vein into another vein. It is performed when pressure in the portal vein is so high that it causes internal bleeding from blood vessels in the esophagus.
Purpose
The portal vein carries blood from the stomach and abdominal organs to the liver. It is a major vein that splits into many branches. High pressure in the portal vein causes swelling and bleeding from blood vessels in the esophagus. This situation occurs when the liver is damaged from cirrhosis of the liver, a condition usually caused by prolonged, excessive alcohol consumption.
Massive internal bleeding caused by high pressure in the portal vein occurs in about 40% of patients with cirrhosis. It is initially fatal in at least half of these patients. Patients who survive are likely to experience bleeding recurrence. Portal vein bypass, also called portacaval shunting, is performed on these surviving patients to control bleeding.
Precautions
Most patients who need portal vein bypass surgery not only have liver disease and poor liver function, but also suffer from an enlarged spleen, jaundice, and damage to the vascular system brought on by years of alcoholism. They are likely to experience serious complications during surgery. Some patients are aggressively uncooperative with medical personnel. Under these conditions, half the patients may not survive the operation.
Description
A choice of portal vein bypasses is available. Portal vein bypass is usually performed as an emergency operation in a hospital under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes an abdominal incision and finds the portal vein. In portacaval shunting, blood from the portal vein is diverted into the inferior vena cava. This is the most common bypass. In splenorenal shunting, the splenic vein (a part of the portal vein), is connected to the renal vein. A mesocaval shunt connects the superior mesenteric vein (another part of the portal vein) to the inferior vena cava.
Portal pressure can also be reduced in a procedure called transvenous intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). A catheter is threaded into the portal vein, and an expandable balloon or wire mesh is inserted to divert blood from the portal vein to the hepatic vein. The rate of serious complications in TIPS is only 1-2%. The operation cannot be performed at all hospitals, but is becoming the preferred treatment for reducing portal pressure.
KEY TERMS
Cirrhosis— A chronic degenerative liver disease common among alcoholics.
Inferior vena cava— A large vein that returns blood from the legs, pelvis, and abdomen to the heart.
Portal vein— Formed by a fusion of small veins that end in a network of capillaries, the portal vein delivers blood to the liver.
Preparation
Standard preoperative blood and urine tests are performed, and liver function is evaluated. The heart and arterial blood pressure are monitored both during and after the operation.
Aftercare
The patient will be connected to a heart monitor and fed through a nasogastric tube. Vital functions are monitored through blood and urine tests. Patients receive pain medication and antibiotics. Once released from the hospital, patients are expected to abstain from alcohol and follow a diet and medication schedule designed to reduce the risks of re-bleeding.
Risks
Portal vein bypass surgery is high risk because it is performed on patients who are generally in poor health. Only half the patients survive, although the chances of survival are greater with TIPS surgery. Those patients who survive the operation still face the risk of heart failure, brain disease due to a decrease in the liver's conversion of waste products (liver encephalopathy ), hemorrhage, lung complications, infection, coma, and death.
Normal results
The survival rate is directly related to the amount of liver damage patients have. The less damage, the more likely the patient is to recover. Cooperation with restrictions on alcohol and diet affect long-term survival.
Resources
BOOKS
McPhee, Stephen, et al., editors. Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment, 1998. 37th ed. Stamford: Appleton & Lange, 1997.
portacaval anastomosis
1. a surgical technique in which the hepatic portal vein is joined to the inferior vena cava, thus bypassing the liver. It is used in the treatment of portal hypertension.
2. any of the natural communications between the branches of the hepatic portal vein in the liver and the inferior vena cava.