[Transjugular puncture of the portal vein. Portography and selective phlebography of abdominal organs. An experimental study in dogs (author's transl)].

Transjugular transhepatic portography is a new method for catheterising the portal vein and its tributaries. In order to gather experience of the method before applying it clinically, the transvenous approach was studied in six dogs. Transjugular portography has the following advantages as compared with umbilical vein catheterization and percutaneous, transhepatic portal vein catherterisation: 1. Because of the relative positions of the jugular veins, vena cava and portal vein, manipulation of the catheter for selective phlebography is simpler. 2. There is no risk of a haemoperitoneum or bile peritonitis if a correct technique is used since the liver capsule remains intact. 3. In the presence of portal hypertension, it may be possible in future to create an intrahepatic portocaval shunt by the transjugular approach without a major operation. Sclerosis of oesophageal varices is possible, as it is with the other procedures.