ATRIO-CAVA SHUNT FOR SUPRAHEPATIC DESINSE RTION OF THE VENA-CAVA - A CASE-REPORT AND A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Mortality in cases of trauma-induced lesions of the suprahepatic vena cava is high because it is difficult to expose the lesions, and conseq uently to control blood loss. Several techniques have been reported fo r treating this type of lesion. We report a case in which both suprahe patic veins were sutured after installing an atrio-cava shunt via a st ernotomy. The limitations of this technique and other surgical possibi lities are also discussed.