Portacaval shunt
Portacaval Shunt
Portacaval shunt (pronunciation: por-ta-ca-val shunt) is a surgical procedure that creates a connection between the portal vein and the inferior vena cava. This procedure is primarily used to treat portal hypertension, a condition characterized by high blood pressure in the portal vein system.
Etymology
The term "portacaval" is derived from the Latin words "porta," meaning gate, and "cava," meaning hollow. This refers to the connection created between the portal vein, which is the main vein supplying the liver, and the inferior vena cava, the large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower half of the body back to the heart.
Procedure
The portacaval shunt procedure involves the creation of a new pathway for blood flow to bypass the liver. This is achieved by connecting the portal vein directly to the inferior vena cava. The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia and requires a surgical incision in the abdomen.
Indications
The primary indication for a portacaval shunt is portal hypertension. This condition can lead to serious complications such as esophageal varices, which are enlarged veins in the esophagus that can rupture and cause life-threatening bleeding. A portacaval shunt can help to reduce the pressure in the portal vein and prevent these complications.
Risks and Complications
As with any surgical procedure, a portacaval shunt carries risks. These can include infection, bleeding, and complications related to anesthesia. In addition, there is a risk of hepatic encephalopathy, a condition that can cause confusion and other mental changes due to the buildup of toxins in the bloodstream that are normally removed by the liver.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Portacaval shunt
- Wikipedia's article - Portacaval shunt
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski