Omphalocaval shunt: an alternative procedure for portal decompression.

We report a case in which umbilical vein was used to construct an omphalocaval shunt in a patient with a long history of alcoholic liver disease and recurrent esophageal and gastric variceal bleeding episodes. The indication for the choice of this procedure included the presence of dense adhesions in the porta hepatis, arteriographic documentation of continuity with the portal venous system, and an umbilical vein 12 mm in internal diameter. The hypertensive portal system was successfully decompressed and proved patent 6 months postoperatively.