Liver revascularization with the left gastric artery following portocaval shunt in rats: technique and preliminary results.

The technique of liver arterialization with the left gastric artery after portocaval shunt in the rat is described. The operation was carried out with three different modalities, and the best results were obtained when suturing was carried out after enlargement of the arterial caliber (0.4-0.5 mm external diameter), advantage of a vessel bifurcation. Eighty percent of the anastomosis were patent without any anticoagulant treatment 1 month after surgery. Preliminary results show the positive effect of liver arterialization compared to treatment with portocaval shunt alone.