A Surgical Splenorenal Shunt is a surgical procedure performed to redirect blood flow from the spleen to the renal vein. The shunt is created to relieve portal hypertension, a condition in which there is increased pressure in the portal vein that carries blood from the intestines to the liver. This increase in pressure can lead to the development of collateral vessels, or varices, which can cause severe bleeding.
During the surgery, a connection, or shunt, is made between the splenic vein (which drains blood from the spleen) and the left renal vein (which carries blood from the kidney to the inferior vena cava). This allows blood from the spleen to bypass the liver and directly enter the systemic circulation, reducing the pressure in the portal vein.
The surgical splenorenal shunt procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia, and the surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen to access the relevant blood vessels. The shunt is then created using graft material, such as a synthetic tube or a segment of a vein obtained from the patient's body.
This surgical intervention is commonly used in the management of portal hypertension associated with liver cirrhosis or certain liver diseases. It helps in preventing or reducing variceal bleeding and its associated complications, such as ascites (abdominal fluid accumulation) and encephalopathy (brain dysfunction caused by liver failure).
Postoperatively, patients may require close monitoring to ensure the shunted blood flow remains optimal, and they may be prescribed medication to manage symptoms or prevent complications.
