Umbilical vein cannulation in portal-system disease.

AFTER birth the umbilical vein collapses and thickens, but by purposeful dilatation of its lumen in adult life it can usually be made to regain its connection with the left branch of the portal vein and to accept a large-bore cannula. In fact, over 75 per cent of umbilical veins can be catheterized for use in the study, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the portal circulation.1 2 3 4 5 Major difficulties are encountered chiefly in cirrhotic patients with severe nodular distortion of the liver or with massive ascites. Embryology During the fifth and sixth weeks of pregnancy the pattern of liver vasculature . . .