[Percutaneous retroperitoneal splenorenal stent shunt:an experimental study in swine model with portal hypertension].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of depressing the press and the technical possibility of creating a percutaneous retroperitoneal splenorenal shunts (PRESS) by means of treating with swine with portal hypertension.

METHODS

There were five normal microswine, all of which underwent portal vein embolization with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles to create the model of portal hypertension. After the successful creation of the model with portal hypertension, PRESS were placed to depress the portal venous press, placing covered-stents to connect the left renal vein and the splenic vein. The variance of relative venous press was observed. Splenic venogram was taked after the PRESS to observe the condition of blood flow in the vein and stents.

RESULTS

Acute portal hypertension were created successfully in the five animals, then PRESS were placed. One animal died during the operation (died of overdose of anesthesia), stent placement were successfully completed in the other four animals. The splenic venogram revealed good flow from the splenic vein to the left renal vein through the shunt track. After the PRESS, the portal venous and the splenic press press descended, and the left renal press elevated.

CONCLUSION

Creation of a PRESS for swine with portal hypertension is technically possible, and further experimental studies of its safety are warranted.