The Use of Reno-Portal Anastomosis in the Treatment of Portal Hypertension: An Experimental Study

Abstract

An operation of porta-caval and reno-portal shunt has been performed on dogs. These dogs were shown by an ammonia tolerance test to clear ammonia more quickly than dogs with only a porta-caval shunt. It is suggested that the reason for this was the supplementation of the hepatic artery flow by the reno-portal shunt, to maintain a near-normal hepatic blood flow. The clinical application is discussed.