CENTRIFUGAL PUMP-ASSISTED VENOUS BYPASS BETWEEN THE SUPERIOR MESENTERIC VEIN AND THE UMBILICAL VEIN DURING PORTAL-VEIN RESECTION

We describe herein our method of performing centrifugal pump-assisted venous bypass between the superior mesenteric vein and the umbilical v ein, developed with the aim of preventing congestion of the small inte stine and promoting strong and constant hepatic blood flow during port al vein resection. By using this bypass method, portal vein resection and reconstruction was able to be carried out with ease and safety in six patients undergoing surgery for a pancreatic mass or cancer. No co agulation abnormalities, thrombocytopenia, leukocytopenia, severe live r dysfunction, or portal vein thrombosis developed in any of the patie nts postoperatively. Thus, we highly recommend this simple and reliabl e method of bypass when portal vein resection is being performed.