BACKGROUND: Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) develops with complete or incomplete obstruction of the hepatic veins (HV), the super hepatic inferior vena cava (IVC), or both. Various methods have been reported regarding the treatment of BCS. In this article, we present our preliminary experience with radical surgery in the treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome under genuine direct vision.
METHODS: In 13 patients aged from 17 to 48 years, the disease lasted from 3 months to 5 years. Membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava (IVC) was observed in 3 patients, right hepatic venous (HV) membrane in 1, IVC membrane with distal thrombosis in 6, long-segment thrombosis of the IVC in 2, and IVC thrombosis caused by retroperitoneal tumor extending to the right atrium in 1.
RESULTS: All lesions were successfully resected. Extracorporeal circulation was used in one patient, and the cell saver in 2 patients. No blood transfusion was given except for 3 patients receiving blood transfusion of 2000, 400, and 400 ml, respectively. One patient died of renal failure during the postoperative period. Signs and symptoms disappeared after the operation in the remaining patients.
CONCLUSION: This new radical surgery gives access to the lesions under clear direct vision in further facilitating the correction needed.