[Portal vein: variations of its branches (about 32 dissections)].

Purpose: The aim of this study is to precise the variations of portal vein branches and also to elucidate anatomic basis of partial hepatectomy.
Material and Methods: Thirty-two post-mortem specimens, with ages ranged from one day to sixty-five years in both two sexes, were dissected. Latex and Rhodopas were used for visualizing and drawing the portal vein course and its branches.
Results: Nine types of different variations of portal vein branches were observed. Most of cases were similar to those previously reported in literature. But four types must be especially noted, because they were not available in literature.
Discussion: this study updates the anatomy of portal vein and its tributaries, and also finds out four types of distribution which must be known by surgeons with regards to partial hepatectomy.