Direct reopening of the occluded hepatic veins of Budd-Chiari syndrome: verification of our operative method by the perioperative course of esophageal varices

Objective A total of 69 patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) were operated by direct approach under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). To assess the operative procedure, the perioperative course of esophageal varices (EVs) was evaluated. Patients and methods Of the 69 patients, 59 (22 females) were enrolled in this study because they had complete follow-up data for endoscopic evaluation of EVs. Their mean age was 46.3 +/- 13.0 years (range 21-73.3 years). EVs were found in 52 patients. Under partial cardiopulmonary bypass, the inferior vena cava (IVC) was incised. The obstruction of the IVC was excised, and the occluded hepatic veins were reopened. The incised IVC was reconstructed with an auto-pericardial patch. Results Postoperatively, the repaired IVC was patent in all patients. The average number of patent hepatic veins (HVs) increased from 1.23 +/- 0.81 to 2.21 +/- 0.97/patient. The pressure gradient between the IVC and right atrium (RA) decreased from 12.4 +/- 5.52 to 4.46 +/- 3.21 mmHg. The indocyanine green clearance test (ICG) at 15 min decreased from 31.57 +/- 17.44 to 22.27 +/- 15.23%. EVs had disappeared in 13 patients at discharge and in 6 patients at late postoperative follow-up. Conclusion Our operative procedure for BCS is useful for decreasing portal pressure, which is reflected by disappearance of EVs. Therefore, the high risk of EV rupture could be avoided by reopening the occluded HVs.