Pattern and Position of Portal Vein Formation in a Kenyan Population

Abstract

Background Knowledge of the variant anatomy of the extra hepatic portal vein is important for both surgeons and radiologists Objectives To describe the pattern and position of formation of the portal vein in a Kenyan population Materials and Methods The study was carried out on cadavers during routine dissection sessions in the Department of Human Anatomy University of Nairobi The pattern of PV formation and its location relative to the neck of the pancreas were identified and photographs taken The pattern of PV formation was classified thus Type I PV formed by the confluence of SMV and SV Type II PV formed by the confluence of SMV IMV and SV Type I was further reclassified according to the termination of IMV as Type Ia IMV terminate into SV and Type Ib IMV terminate into the SMV Results Type I pattern of PV formation was observed in cases while a Type II pattern was observed in cases Of the Type I pattern of PV formation Type Ia and Type IIb occurred in cases and cases respectively The PV formed inferior to the neck of the pancreas in cases posterior to it in cases and superior to it in cases Conclusion The PV displays variations both its pattern of formation and location This should be taken into consideration during pancreatico duodenal surgeries to avoid inadvertent injury to the PV and in the interpretation of abdominal radiographs