Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 02/17/2009
BOOKS
Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment, 1998, 37th Edition. Edited by Stephen McPhee, et al. Stamford: Appleton & Lange, 1997.
"Stomach and Duodenum." In Current Surgical Diagnosis andTreatment,...
10th Edition. Edited by Lawrence W. Way. Stamford: Appleton & Lange, 1994.
PERIODICALS
Bambini, D. A., R. Superina, P. S. Almond, P. F. Whitington, and E. Alonso. "Experience with the Rex Shunt (Mesenterico-left Portal Bypass) in Children with Extrahepatic Portal Hypertension."Journal of Pediatric Surgery 35 (January 2000): 13–18.
Fuchs, J., et al. "Mesenterico-left Portal Vein Bypass in Children with Congenital Extrahepatic Portal Vein Thrombosis: A Unique Curative Approach."Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition 36 (February 2003): 213–216.
de Ville de Goyet, J., et al. "Treatment of Extrahepatic Portal Hypertension in Children by Mesenteric-to-left Portal Vein Bypass: A New Physiological Procedure."European Journal of Surgery 165 (August 1999): 777–781.
ORGANIZATIONS
American College of Surgeons. 633 N. Saint Clair St., Chicago, IL 60611. (312) 202-5000.
Society for Vascular Surgery. 900 Cummings Center, Beverly, MA 01915-1314. (978) 927-8330.
OTHER
"Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension."Family Doctor.
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Other Information
Portal vein bypass surgery diverts blood from the portal vein into another vein. It is performed when pressure in the portal vein is so high that it causes internal bleeding from blood vessels in the esophagus.
Purpose
The portal vein carries blood from the stomach and abdominal organs to the liver. It is a major vein that splits into many branches. High pressure in the portal vein causes swelling and bleeding from blood vessels in the esophagus. This situation occurs when the liver is damaged from cirrhosis of the liver, a condition usually caused by prolonged, excessive alcohol consumption.
Massive internal bleeding caused by high pressure in the portal vein occurs in about 40% of patients with cirrhosis. It is initially fatal in at least half of these patients. Patients who survive are likely to experience bleeding recurrence. Portal vein bypass, also called portacaval shunting, is performed on these surviving patients to control bleeding.
From http://www.lifesteps.com/gm/Atoz/ency/portal_vein_bypass.jsp
Other Information
In the United States, 74.2 percent of heart transplantation patients are male, 68.4 percent are white, 24.7 percent are younger than age 35, 20.0 percent are ages 35–49, and 55.3 percent are age 50 or older.
From: American Heart Association
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