'Cuffed' portacaval anastomosis in rat.

Preparation of portacaval anastomosis (PCA) in patients suffering from portal hypertension has been an accepted procedure for reducing portal pressure. Recently, fashioning of mesocaval anastomosis has got preference. In the era of portacaval anastomoses numerous experimental works were concerned with the technique of performing them. During these experiments it was revealed that PCA produces considerable changes both in the metabolism and the circulation of the liver. Fischer et al. state that, following PCA, the weight of the liver decreased, on an average by 55%, as compared to the controls. Ossenberg et al. observed that after PCA liver perfusion was reduced by about 55-65%. Rubin et al. demonstrated that the hepatic cytochrome P 450 content was significantly decreased and the function of the microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes markedly altered subsequent to PCA. All these data indicated that, as a results of the bypassing of portal inflow from the liver, PCA significantly influences liver function and the intervention in experimental animals, i.e. rats, can be used as a model for chronic hepatic insufficiency.