Porto-systemic shunt using adrenal vein as a conduit; an alternative procedure for spleno--renal shunt

Functional side-to-side splenorenal shunts to treat extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis in children

BACKGROUND

Surgical shunts are commonly used to manage complications resulting from extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis (EHPVT) in children. We describe a single-center experience utilizing a functional Side-to-Side Splenorenal Shunt (fSRS), created using either an enlarged inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) or left adrenal vein (LAV).

METHODS

Pediatric patients with isolated EHPVT who were poor candidates for a Rex shunt and who underwent a fSRS procedure at our institution between 2003 and 2020 were reviewed. The pre/post shunt portosystemic gradient change, rates of early and late complications, postoperative shunt patency, and mortality were evaluated.

RESULTS

Twelve EHPVT patients (mean age of 6.1 years) underwent a fSRS procedure. The mean portosystemic gradient change for the cohort was -11.7 mmHg (±4.9). There were no cases of recurrent variceal bleeding or episodes of shunt thrombosis reported after fSRS procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical shunts continue to be an important adjunct in the treatment of complications related to EHPVT. The functional Side-to-Side Splenorenal Shunt is a safe alternative that is easy to perform, involves minimal dissection and requires only a single anastomosis.

Unconventional Shunts in Extrahepatic Portal Venous Obstruction-A Retrospective Review

Background

Proximal splenorenal shunt (PSRS) is one of the most commonly performed portosystemic shunt (PSS) in extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO) for portal decompression. Sometimes various anatomical and surgical factors related to the splenic vein and/or left renal vein may make the construction of a PSRS difficult or impossible. Unconventional shunts are required to tide over such conditions.

Methods

From January 2008 to December 2018, 189 patients with EHPVO underwent PSS, of which, the 10 patients who underwent unconventional shunts form the study group of this paper.

Results

The ten unconventional shunts included 8 proximal splenoadrenal shunts, one collateral-renal shunt, and one inferior mesenteric vein to inferior vena cava (IMV-Caval) shunt. The mean percentage drop in omental pressure was 34.2% post-shunt with a mean anastomotic diameter of 13.7 ± 3.1 mm. Three patients experienced some form of postoperative complication. With a mean follow-up period of 32.3 months (maximum of 111 months) all patients had patent shunts on follow-up Doppler. None of the patients had variceal bleed, or features of biliopathy and hepatic encephalopathy in follow-up.

Conclusion

Unconventional shunts can be used safely and effectively with good postoperative outcomes in EHPVO.

Simple and novel technique for fabrication of prosthetic vaginal dilators

Vaginal agenesis is one of the major congenital anomalies affecting women. Postoperative prosthetic vaginal dilators are indicated in patients treated surgically for vaginal agenesis. Although different dental materials such as acrylics and silicone-coated materials are used, addition silicones alone have never been used for the fabrication of prosthetic vaginal dilators. Addition silicone materials have advantages, such as high elastic recovery, high tear and tensile strengths, which aid in the definitive use of vaginal dilators. Vaginal dilators fabricated using addition silicone materials act as an efficient prosthesis in terms of function and ease of use in surgically treated vaginal agenesis patients.

A review of the anatomy and clinical significance of adrenal veins

The adrenal veins may present with a multitude of anatomical variants, which surgeons must be aware of when performing adrenalectomies. The adrenal veins originate during the formation of the prerenal inferior vena cava (IVC) and are remnants of the caudal portion of the subcardinal veins, cranial to the subcardinal sinus in the embryo. The many communications between the posterior cardinal, supracardinal, and subcardinal veins of the primordial venous system provide an explanation for the variable anatomy. Most commonly, one central vein drains each adrenal gland. The long left adrenal vein joins the inferior phrenic vein and drains into the left renal vein, while the short right adrenal vein drains immediately into the IVC. Multiple variations exist bilaterally and may pose the risk of surgical complications. Due to the potential for collaterals and accessory adrenal vessels, great caution must be taken during an adrenalectomy. Adrenal venous sampling, the gold standard in diagnosing primary hyperaldosteronism, also requires the clinician to have a thorough knowledge of the adrenal vein anatomy to avoid iatrogenic injury. The adrenal vein acts as an important conduit in portosystemic shunts, thus the nature of the anatomy and hypercoagulable states pose the risk of thrombosis.

An unusual cause of acute abdominal pain after cardiac surgery: acute epiploic appendagitis

Abdominal complications following cardiac surgery remain unusual, but are associated with high mortality. The most common abdominal surgical complications are mesenteric ischaemia, diverticulitis, pancreatitis, gastrointestinal bleeding and cholecystitis. We describe a case of a 73-year old woman with acute abdominal pain mimicking cholecystitis on day 10 after aortic valve replacement. An abdominal examination showed tenderness of the right upper quadrant with Murphy's sign. Complete blood count, blood chemistries and urinalysis were normal as were the abdominal and chest X-rays and abdominal ultrasonography. The abdominal computed-tomography (CT) scan enabled us to rule out cholecystitis, as it demonstrated the typical appearance of epiploic appendagitis on the right colon, 1 cm below the gallbladder. Epiploic appendagitis results from twisting, kinking or venous thrombosis of an epiploic appendage. Depending on its localization, it mimics many diagnoses requiring surgery: colitis, diverticulitis, appendicitis and cholecystitis. An abdominal CT scan is the diagnostic imaging tool of choice. All physicians involved in post-cardiac surgery care should be aware of this self-limiting disease that usually resolves with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and watchful waiting, and to avoid unnecessary surgery because the spontaneous evolution of epiploic appendagitis is usually benign.

Colonic venous malformation and portal hypertension: association, management, and review of the literature

We present a case of an adolescent with lower gastrointestinal bleeding caused by a colorectal venous malformation (VM) with concomitant portal hypertension. After an episode of massive gastrointestinal bleeding, we performed an extended right hemicolectomy and resection of the VM and selective portosystemic shunt. Here, we present the case and review the literature regarding portal hypertension and gastrointestinal vascular malformations. Additionally, we discuss the physiologic and hemodynamic effects of gastrointestinal vascular malformations on the portal system.

Hemodynamic assessment of the development of portal-systemic collaterals in portal hypertensive rats

BACKGROUND

Portal hypertension induced the formation of portal-systemic collaterals. Revealing the developmental change of portal-systemic collaterals is important for future therapy.

METHODS

We observed the evolution of an accessible shunting vessel, the spleno-renal shunt (SRS), in rats after induction of portal hypertension by partial portal vein ligation (PVL). The hemodynamic and histological assessments of SRS were performed by transit time ultrasound and immunohistochemical studies.

RESULTS

The portal pressure of PVL rats surged to 16.5 ± 1.1 mmHg on day 1 after ligation surgery and was maintained at a significantly higher level (13.0 ± 0.4 mmHg) to day 14 when compared to sham rats (p < 0.05). The size or flow of SRS in PVL rats did not change immediately after portal pressure surge. Instead, they increased rapidly on day 4, peaked on day 7, and stabilized thereafter. The size and flow were greater and the resistance of SRS was lower in PVL rats after day 7 (p < 0.05). The anti-Ki67 immunohistochemical study demonstrated positive staining of endothelium in SRS and negative in portal vein or aorta of PVL rats. In addition, the endothelial cells of SRS were stained positive for CD31 and KLF5.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that the pressure-induced opening of pre-existing vessels was not the primary underlying mechanism in the formation of SRS. Endothelial proliferating and vascular remodeling process participated actively during the development of SRS. These observations can be used for studying the pathogenesis and developing more effective anti-portal hypertensive therapy in the future.

Emergency preoperative stenting versus surgery for acute left-sided malignant colonic obstruction: a multicenter randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Surgical management of left colonic cancer presenting as an acute obstruction remains controversial and still is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. Recently, self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) have been used as a bridge to surgery in an attempt to decompress the colon and then allow elective one-stage surgical resection without stoma placement. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of emergency surgery alone with emergency placement of colonic SEMS as a bridge to surgery in terms of efficiency and reduction of the stoma placement rate.

METHODS

A multicenter prospective, randomized, controlled trial was conducted according to the consolidated standards of reporting trials (CONSORT) Statement criteria. Patients eligible for the study were randomized to either emergency surgery or emergency SEMS as a bridge to surgery. The primary outcome was the need for a stoma (temporary or permanent) for any reason. The secondary end points were mortality, morbidity, and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

Nine centers participated in the trial. Among the 70 patients eligible for the study, 60 were randomized and included for the final analysis, 30 patients in each group. Seven patients were randomized but did not fulfill the entry requirements, whereas three further eligible patients were not randomized for various reasons. Concerning the primary outcome, 17 patients in the surgery group sustained a stoma placement versus 13 patients in the SEMS group (p=0.30). No statistically significant difference was noted concerning the secondary outcomes. A total of 16 attempts at SEMS placement (53.3%) were technical failures. Two colonic perforations directly related to the stent placement procedure occurred among the 30 randomized patients and 1 perforation occurred among the nonrandomized patients, leading to premature closure of inclusions in the study before the expected number of 80 patients was reached.

CONCLUSION

This randomized trial failed to demonstrate that emergency preoperative SEMS for patients presenting with acute left-sided malignant colonic obstruction could significantly decrease the need for stoma placement.