Technique and complications of transumbilical catheterization of the portal vein and its tributaries.

In 120 patients who had 127 transumbilical catheterizations of the portal vein, 33 of pancreatic veins, and 15 for other portal tributaries, the surgical success rate was 91 per cent over-all, increasing to 95 per cent during the last year. Catheterization was made with the same technique as is used for arteriography. The most important complication was thrombosis of the portal vein, giving slight transient symptoms in 2 patients. Other complications were wound infection, suture granuloma, herniation in the linea alba, bleeding from the operative wound, and subintimal injections. As the technique may yield good results in studies of drug resorption, flow studies, detection of metastases, and investigation of pancreatic veins, it seems justified in suitable patients despite the complication rate. None of the complications produced lasting disability.