Preduodenal portal vein: a case series of variable clinical presentations and surgical implications

AIM OF THE STUDY: To present a case series of four pediatric patients with PDPV, each with a different clinical presentation and surgical management. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed four cases of PDPV managed at our institution. Two cases were associated with extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA) and discovered incidentally during surgery. The other two cases presented with duodenal obstruction but had differing etiologies and management approaches. RESULTS: Two patients with EHBA underwent successful Kasai portoenterostomy; PDPV was discovered intraoperatively and required no intervention. One patient had duodenal obstruction due to PDPV compressing the duodenum and underwent laparoscopic duodenoduodenostomy. Another patient had duodenal obstruction due to malrotation; a Ladd's procedure was performed. PDPV was noted intraoperatively but was not the obstructing factor. CONCLUSION: PDPV can present variably, ranging from an incidental finding to a causative factor in duodenal obstruction. Its recognition is crucial during abdominal surgery to avoid inadvertent injury and to tailor the surgical approach based on associated anomalies.