Splenocaval shunting for alleviation of portal hypertension in a dog: a case report.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the construction and use of a splenocaval shunt to prevent portal hypertension in a dog with iatrogenic rupture and subsequent complete occlusion of an intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (IPSS).


METHODS
Case report describing a single, client-owned animal.


RESULTS
During dissection, the back wall of an IPSS was torn. Complete shunt occlusion was required to control the hemorrhage. This resulted in the development of life-threatening portal hypertension. Emergency splenocaval shunt construction reduced the portal pressure from 47 to 20 cm H2O. The dog experienced minimal postoperative complications. A second surgical procedure was performed a month later to completely ligate the splenocaval shunt.


CONCLUSIONS
A splenocaval shunt can be used to divert blood from the portal to the systemic circulation to control portal hypertension. In this dog, it resulted in a successful outcome with few complications.


CONCLUSIONS
The splenocaval shunt could be constructed before the dissection of a difficult IPSS if problems arise as occurred in the dog described in this report. Complete IPSS occlusion can be performed without development of portal hypertension.
Poy
N S
NS
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA.
Degner
D A
DA
Hauptman
J G
JG
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease / Q000662:veterinary*; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D008026:Ligation / Q000662:veterinary; D008099:Liver / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000098:blood supply; D011168:Portal System / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D012086:Reoperation / Q000662:veterinary; D012421:Rupture; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D013162:Splenic Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000601:surgery*