Collateral Circulation Between a Spleen Transposited into the Thoracic Cavity and the Vena Cava Superior

The role of spleno-pulmonary parenchymatous anastomosis in the reduction of portal hypertension in dogs

“…I n addition a more favourable pressure gradient probably exists. The superiority of intrathoracic anastomosis in the dog has been demonstrated in the present experiments, just as the operation used by Turunen and Laitinen (1959) appears to be more effective than earlier intra-abdominal procedures based on otherwise similar principles. The reasons for this superiority are not clearly understood, but it is suggested that they may be due to the intrathoracic negative pressure and the action of the 'respiratory pump '.…”

“…Vascular connexions were successfully established between the intact spleen and the pleura. At the conclusion of this phase of the experimental work, the work of Turunen and Laitinen (1959) was published, which fortuitously provided, on clinical grounds, confirmation of our results obtained in a dog. Splenopulmonary anastomosis is considered to be a further advance.…”

“…Such anastomosis prolonged life in rabbits after one-stage ligation of the portal vein in a controlled series. Turunen and Laitinen (1959) described an application of the principles of parenchymatous anastomosis. They obtained an intrathoracic anastomosis between the spleen and the systemic veins in humans with portal hypertension and demonstrated the vascular connexions by splenoportography.…”