A Technique for distal splenocaval shunt in the rat

Abstract
Distal splenocaval anastomosis was performed in 58 rats, using a microsurgical technique. Provided that the splenic artery was occluded during construction of the shunt, a patency rate of about 80% could be achieved. The model can be used for studying the effects of shunting blood from the splenic vein into the systemic circulation.