OBJECTIVE: To improve the technique of stenosing ligation of the portal vein, frequently used to obtain a prehepatic portal hypertension model in the rat, by increase the initial resistance to the blood flow. METHODS: In this experimental work portal stenosis by three equidistant stenosing ligatures which are fixed in a plastic guide is proposed as an alternative technique. RESULTS: Triple stenosing ligation of the portal vein does not produce mortality and causes splenomegaly as well as a larger degree of collateral venous circulation, particularly of splenorenal type, in relation to rats with a simple stenosing ligation. CONCLUSION: Increase of the stenosed tract length of the portal vein in the rats with triple ligation increases the initial resistance to the portal flow and then the posterior evolution would be impaired and this mechanism could be involved in a larger degree of collateral venous circulation.
OBJECTIVE: To improve the technique of stenosing ligation of the portal vein, frequently used to obtain a prehepatic portal hypertension model in the rat, by increase the initial resistance to the blood flow. METHODS: In this experimental work portal stenosis by three equidistant stenosing ligatures which are fixed in a plastic guide is proposed as an alternative technique. RESULTS: Triple stenosing ligation of the portal vein does not produce mortality and causes splenomegaly as well as a larger degree of collateral venous circulation, particularly of splenorenal type, in relation to rats with a simple stenosing ligation. CONCLUSION: Increase of the stenosed tract length of the portal vein in the rats with triple ligation increases the initial resistance to the portal flow and then the posterior evolution would be impaired and this mechanism could be involved in a larger degree of collateral venous circulation.