Link to Scientific Article :
Modeling and Simulation for Identification of Possible Cause for Portal Vein Thrombosis: A Complication of Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Background: This study was performed to study possible causes of Portal Vein thrombosis, a potentially deadly complication of specific foregut surgical procedures. Methods: Mathematical models of blood flow to the foregut organs, stomach, duodenum, spleen, and liver were created in MATLAB. Pathologic conditions were created by removing or adding the electrical components in the circuit modeled in MATLAB. These modifications represented surgical variation and hemodynamic changes. Comparing the input and output waveforms and comparing them to the known wave from live subject samples were able to model conditions where the likelihood of portal vein thrombosis is most likely to occur. Results: Ligation of the gastroepiploic vessels produce significant flow disruption in our model, significantly more than dehydration, causing portal vein flow reduction and possible portal vein thrombosis. Conclusion: Summary and potential implications. Trial registration: No registration or IRB was required. The study did not involve any human or animal subjects.