A surgical solution to extrahepatic portal thrombosis and portal cavernoma: the splanchnic–intrahepatic portal bypass

Three cases of prehepatic portal vein thrombosis, complicated by the clinical manifestations of portal hypertension, were successfully treated by surgically created splanchnic–intrahepatic portal bypass. Two out of three patients had been previously submitted to liver transplantation. No significant morbidity was observed and long-term Doppler evaluations proved the patency of the venous grafts. Together with the technical aspects of the procedures, the possible role of this technique, primarily proposed by De Ville de Goyet in 1992, is discussed in relation to the available therapies for the extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis.