Figure 1

Diagram of silastic H-shaped prosthesis inserted into the portal vein and the inferior vena cava of the in vivo rabbit model. During control conditions, the prosthesis is clamped across the horizontal limb at "a". Portal-systemic diversion is achieved by removal of the clamp from "a" and cross-clamping at point "b", distal to the point of entry of the splenic vein into the portal vein.