[Changes in liver function and morphology after various portocaval bypass operations].

Using an experimental animal model consequences of operatively changed modes of liver perfusion on hepatic function could be demonstrated. Three groups of 5 animals each (swine) had the following operations: Group I received a portocaval shunt. In group II in addition to the portocaval shunt a vein graft was interposed between the vena cava and the portal vein. In group III an arterialization of this graft was performed in addition to the two operations mentioned above. Follow-up at defined time intervals included clinical, laboratory and histological data. It could be demonstrated that animals in group II and III showed normal parameters as far as behavior and controlled lab data are concerned. Animals of group I had significantly poorer results in all tests. In this study we found that direct portal perfusion was not necessary for a normal liver function and could be fully compensated both by caval venous blood and by arterialized caval venous blood.