A radical operation for the Budd-Chiari syndrome associated with obstruction of the inferior vena cava. A report of six patients.

The Budd-Chiari syndrome is caused by an occlusion of the hepatic veins and is often associated with an obstruction in the hepatic portion of the inferior vena cava (IVC). Therefore, the various shunt operations done in an attempt to relieve the portal hypertension are often not effective. By using a radical surgical technique on six patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome, the liver was freed and a wide longitudinal incision was made in the hepatic portion of the IVC. The obstructed hepatic vein was reopened using a Fogarty catheter, and a pericardial patch reinforced with a Teflon prosthesis was secured over the incision. Two patients were still asymptomatic 3 and 4 years after operation. Two patients died postoperatively of pneumonia and hepatic insufficiency. The two other patients were discharged in fair condition, and one died 6 months postoperatively following hepatic failure.