TRANSSPLENIC PORTAL CATHETERIZATION - SURGICAL TECHNIQUE AND USE IN 2DOGS WITH PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNTS

The portal vasculature can be accessed by using a through-the-needle c atheter system to pass a catheter through the splenic parenchyma and i nto a major splenic vein at the hilus. The authors have termed this te chnique transsplenic portal catheterization (TPC). Transsplenic portal catheterization is indicated for portal angiography, portal pressure measurement, and chronic portal blood sampling. Clinical applications of this technique include use in diagnosis and surgical management of portosystemic shunts and differentiation of prehepatic, hepatic, and p osthepatic hypertension. This report describes the technique of transs plenic portal catheterization. Clinical use of this technique in two c ases of portosystemic shunts are included.