[Hepatic phlebography before and after portacaval anastomosis]

Wedged hepatic venography has been utilized in the hemodynamic staging of portal hypertension in 33 patients. The immediate postoperative evaluation in 18 cases, has outlined a portal vein filling in 14 end-to-side portacaval shunts, in 5 with presence of hepatofugal collateral veins between the ligated hepatic and shunted splanchnic sides of the portal system, and in 2 side-to-side. The sinusoidal filling pattern has been relatively unchanged after end-to-side portacaval shunts. The venographic appearance of "spontaneous" reversal of portal blood flow in hepatic cirrhosis must be confirmed by selective hepatic arteriography before affirming its presence.