Intraoperative management of acute portal hypertension during liver lobectomy in a dog

Abstract

AbstractWe report the case of an 11‐year‐old, female neutered, miniature schnauzer presented for assessment of recurrent urinary tract and vaginal infections. During investigations, a hepatic mass was incidentally identified on abdominal ultrasound. Cytology following a fine‐needle aspirate biopsy led to a presumptive diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma affecting the right lateral liver lobe. Following resolution of the urinary pathology, elective resection of the neoplastic mass was performed. During liver lobectomy, acute portal hypertension developed, evident through venous congestion and marked peristalsis of the gastrointestinal tract, and pancreatic oedema. Consequently, severe haemodynamic disturbances occurred in the form of systemic hypotension and severe tachycardia. Acute portal hypertension is a potentially life‐threatening complication of hepatic surgery and should be immediately resolved through the reversal of portal vein occlusion.