[A new approach to modelling prehepatic portal hypertension. Preliminary experimental results]

The generally used model of prehepatic portal hypertension is based on stenosis of the portal vein closely before it enters the hepatic parenchyma. The modelling is performed in the open abdominal cavity, which distorts the subsequent development of the modelled disease. The objective of the presented work was to elaborate a new approach to modelling of PPH where the rise of pressure in the portal vein will be separated from the surgery and the pressure in the portal circulation will rise gradually. Equipment for external compression of the portal vein was used in sic minipigs. The equipment comprised an inflatable balloon fitted to a silicone clamp. The balloon was connected by means of a polyurethane catheter to a chamber (ELLA Port CS). The compression set was attached before operation to the portal vein. The second cannula attached to the chamber (ELLA Port CS) was inserted into the lienal vein. Seven days after surgery the authors began to model portal hypertension percutaneously without laparotomy by inflating the balloon inserted into the portal vein. The value of the portal pressure seven days after the onset of modelling was 17.69 +/- 0.76 mm Hg, as compared with 9.0 +/- 1.3 mm Hg before modelling was started. In all experimental animals prehepatic portal hypertension was induced, as was proved angiographically and by direct assessment of the portal pressure.