Surgical Mesoportal Bypass and Portosystemic Shunt Interventions

Abstract

Extrahepatic portal vein obstruction is defined by obstruction of the extrahepatic portal vein with or without involvement of the intrahepatic veins and does not include isolated thrombosis of the splenic vein or superior mesenteric vein. The etiology may be congenital versus acquired and acute versus chronic. Historically, surgical intervention has been reserved for patients with symptoms refractory to medical or endoscopic management. Over time, however, advances in surgical technique and research have caused a shift in practice. The interventionalists' role is primarily to address clinically significant shunt dysfunction, including shunt stenosis and thrombosis. In this article, the authors discuss the classification and indications of surgical portosystemic conduits, pre-and postoperative imaging, and clinical signs, and endovascular techniques to address shunt dysfunction.