Simultaneous splenorenal shunt and repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm

Portal hypertension with bleeding esophageal varices and infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms are relatively common problems. This report describes a patient with a recent upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage from esophageal varices secondary to portal hypertension as well as the presence of an asymptomatic 7 cm abdominal aortic aneurysm. Treatment consisted of splenectomy, splenorenal shunt and repair of the abdominal aortic aneurysm with a knitted Dacron graft. We know of no other case similar to this reported in the literature. A discussion of the approach to a patient with both conditions is presented.