[Transfemoral portography (author's transl)]

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Interventional Radiology
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Accurate visualization of the portal venous system is crucial for diagnosing and managing various liver and gastrointestinal conditions.
• Existing portography methods may involve significant invasiveness or limitations.
• Development of minimally invasive techniques for portography is an ongoing area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of a novel transfemoral approach for portography.
• To assess the safety and efficacy of this technique in a cadaver model.
• To explore potential clinical applications and modifications of transfemoral portography.

Main Methods:

• Portal vein puncture was performed in 15 cadavers via the inferior vena cava using a coaxial needle introduced through the femoral vein.
• A modified technique involved catheter insertion via the Seldinger technique.
• Success was verified through contrast injection, radiography, and inspection of colored material.

Main Results:

• The transfemoral portography technique was successfully demonstrated in cadavers.
• Only one instance of extravasation was noted, with no incorrect injections into the inferior vena cava.
• The procedure was deemed feasible, with potential for clinical use, ideally guided by radiography and ultrasound.

Conclusions:

• Transfemoral portography is a feasible technique for visualizing the portal vein.
• The method appears safe, with minimal complications observed in the cadaver study.
• This approach holds potential for clinical application, including the possibility of performing portocaval shunts to manage esophageal varices.