Optimal management of the splenic vein at the time of venous resection for pancreatic cancer: importance of the inferior mesenteric vein.

BACKGROUND: Resection of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV)-portal vein (PV)-splenic vein (SV) confluence during pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer requires management of the SV. DISCUSSION: Simple SV ligation can result in sinistral portal hypertension if the inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) enters the confluence and is thereby resected, or if the IMV is insufficient to drain the SV. We describe herein three patients whose clinical course confirms the importance of the IMV decompressing the SV to avoid sinistral hypertension.