Portal vein replacement by hepatic vein transposition

Successful reconstruction after portal vein resection in extended liver surgery has been performed by end-to-end anastomosis, patch, or graft interposition. Previously described techniques to obtain venous grafts for portal replacement necessarily have either an additional incision or an unsuitable diameter. We developed a new method of portal vein replacement using the excised hepatic vein. This technique can be applied in major liver resections for tumors infiltrating the portal vein that have a safe distance from the hepatic vein. (C) 1997 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.