SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF INTRAHEPATIC PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNTS IN 6 CATS

The surgical treatment of intrahepatic portosystemic shunts in six cat s is described, The preoperative diagnoses were based on the results o f abdominal ultrasonography, and mesenteric portography was used durin g surgery to confirm the diagnosis and establish the morphology of the shunting vessel. In four of the cats the shunt vessel passed through the left division of the liver, compatible with a patent ductus venosu s (PDV), in one cat the shunt passed through the central hepatic divis ion and in the other cat it passed through the right hepatic division. During surgery the shunt vessel was manipulated directly either intra hepatically, or post hepatically in the four cats with PDV. In five ca ts the shunt vessel was partially ligated, and in the other the vessel was completely ligated. The attenuation procedure produced a mean inc rease in mesenteric venous pressure of 17 cm H2O, with a range from 14 to 20 cm. All the cats recovered from the surgical procedure, but one developed neurological signs shortly after the operation and died fro m respiratory failure. Four of the cats were clinically normal and req uired no medication by one month after the operation. One cat required long-term medication to control its continued clinical signs.