RETROHEPATIC CAVOATRIAL SHUNT WITH A RINGED POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE GRAFT FOR THE BUDD-CHIARI-SYNDROME - A CASE-REPORT

This report describes a patient with Budd-Chiari syndrome who was oper ated on successfully by means of shunt formation with polytetrafluoroe thylene graft between the inferior vena cava (IVC) and right atrium. T he patient is a sixty-two-year-old woman suffering from persistent ede ma of the lower limbs for four years. The examination disclosed comple te obstruction of the IVC, at the level of the diaphragm with a patent right inferior hepatic vein. Following the operation, edema of the li mbs disappeared, hypersplenism improved, and the serum ammonium concen tration decreased to the normal range. In conclusion, a retrohepatic c avoatrial shunt is feasible and useful in treating a patient with the Budd-Chiari syndrome who has patent major hepatic veins.