Portacaval shunt for glycogen storage disease and hyperlipidaemia.

Complete portacaval shunt was used to treat 10 patients with glycogen storage disease. A favourable effect was noted on body growth and a number of metabolic abnormalities. More recently, continous night feedings with an intermittently placed gastric tube or through a gastrostomy has been shown to be helpful either before or after portacaval shunts. Such alimentation techniques may eliminate the need for shunts in some patients and be of adjuvant benefit in others. Portacaval shunt was also used for three children who had homozygous Type II hyperlipidaemia. Substantial reductions in serum cholesterol concentration were observed, as well as resorption of xanthomas. Reversal of some cardiovascular lesions has been documented. The benefits of portacaval shunt in these disorders is probably due to the change in the hormone climate of the liver and the whole organism brought about by diversion of the hormone-rich splanchnic venous blood around the liver.