Portovenogram findings in cases of elevated bile acid concentrations following correction of portosystemic shunts

The case records of 36 cats and dogs undergoing surgical correction of a si ngle extrahepatic portosystemic shunt were reviewed. In 12 animals, the shu nt was fully ligated during the first surgical procedure, while, In the rem aining 24, the shunting vessel could only be partially ligated. Assessment of serum bile acid concentrations demonstrated complete shunt occlusion In 15 of these latter 24 animals (63 per cent) between one and six months post operatively. Ten animals (28 per cent) had persistently high serum bile aci d concentrations postoperatively. Portovenogram findings In these Individua ls revealed six that demonstrated shunting solely through the original vess el; In five of these, full shunt attenuation was achieved at second surgery . Further shunt manipulation was not possible In the sixth case due to exte nsive adhesion formation. In the remaining four animals with raised bile ac id concentrations, the portovenogram demonstrated shunting through the orig inal vessel as well as the development of multiple acquired shunts.