portacaval shunt (PCS)

Introduction

A shunt placed between the portal vein & the inferior vena cava bypassing the liver.

Indications

• portal hypertension associated with hepatic cirrhosis & esophageal varices

Complications

• hepatic encephalopathy

More general terms

• venous anastomosis

More specific terms

• portacaval H-graft shunt (PCHG)