Shunt surgeries are designed to redirect the flow of blood or
abdominal fluid through other areas of the body. Shunts are rarely used because
of complications they may cause. They are done only in medical centers where
the surgeon is experienced in doing the procedures.
- Peritoneovenous shunts. These shunts may reduce fluid
buildup in the abdominal cavity (ascites) by diverting the fluid into normal
blood circulation.
- Portacaval shunts. Portacaval shunts may lower blood
pressure in the portal vein by diverting the flow of blood from the portal vein
to the large vein that returns blood to the heart (vena cava).
Shunt surgery may be used for people:
- With relatively good liver function who develop
serious complications of
portal hypertension, especially recurrent
variceal bleeding.
- Who are not good liver
transplant candidates because of advanced age, continuing alcohol abuse, or
both.
- In whom other treatment options, such as sclerotherapy, have
not been effective.
- Who do not have close access to medical care
and cannot quickly return for more sclerotherapy or variceal banding
treatments.
Complications of shunt surgery may include changes in mental function
(encephalopathy). People who have large-diameter
portacaval shunts have a 20% to 50% rate of encephalopathy.1
Citations
Shah VH, Kamath PS (2006). Portal hypertension
and gastrointestinal bleeding. In M Feldman et al., eds., Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease,
8th ed., vol. 2, pp. 1899-1934. Philadelphia: W.B.
Saunders.
Shah VH, Kamath PS (2006). Portal hypertension
and gastrointestinal bleeding. In M Feldman et al., eds., Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease,
8th ed., vol. 2, pp. 1899-1934. Philadelphia: W.B.
Saunders.
