Surgical creation of portacaval shunts during temporary intestinal arterial and venous occlusion in dogs.

OBJECTIVE

To surgically create complete portacaval shunts in dogs during temporary arrest of intestinal arterial and portal venous blood flow.

DESIGN

Complete portacaval anastomoses were surgically created, and liver function was evaluated for 14 to 18 weeks after surgery.

ANIMALS

32 adult mixed-breed dogs of either sex.

PROCEDURE

Administration of deferoxamine and temporary intestinal arterial occlusion were used to minimize the intestinal cellular damage resulting from the complete, temporary arrest of portal venous blood flow during creation of the portacaval anastomosis. Side-to-side, appositional anastomoses ( > 2 cm diameter) were formed between the portal vein and caudal vena cava. Dogs were observed daily for signs of hepatic encephalopathy, and food intake was recorded. Body weight was recorded weekly. Preprandial plasma ammonia, serum urea nitrogen, and glucose concentrations and sulfobromophthalein retention were measured monthly. The dogs were euthanatized, and necropsy was performed 14 to 18 weeks after surgery.

RESULTS

30 of 32 dogs recovered without complications. Complete portosystemic shunting was documented by increased plasma ammonia concentration, decreased serum urea nitrogen and glucose concentrations, prolonged sulfobromophthalein retention (P < 0.01), and inspection at necropsy.

CONCLUSION

This method of providing temporary, complete arrest of portal venous blood flow was helpful in allowing accurate, appositional portacaval anastomoses to be created that remained patent for 14 to 18 weeks.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This method of providing temporary, complete arrest of portal venous blood flow may prove useful in clinical surgery when temporary arrest of portal blood flow is desired.