Objective. To investigate the peritoneum as a material using in the portal vein reconstruction. Methods. Twenty-one small healthy domestic pigs were used in the study

and divided into two groups. The observation period was twenty-four weeks

and divided into three stages. A section of portal vein about 2. 5- 3. 0 cm long was resected and replaced by autogenous peritoneum tube（APT）and autoge- nous vein respectively.The liver function tests

bloodflow dynamic examination

patency and pathological changes of the grafts were. investigaed after the replacement. Results.All animals survived the operation and the subsequent observation. It showed that aspartate transminase （AST） were mlidly elevated just after operation but recovered quickly in both groups. Portal bloodflow index（PI）and portal pressure were both a little higher than those before operations but all within normal range. Portography revealed a total patency of eight out of thirteen grafts in the experiment group

whereas a total patency of six out of eight in the control group. During the observation

portograhpy re- vealed five out of thirteen APT grafts were occluded in the experiment group

whereas two out of eight grafts were occluded in the control group. No dilatation grafts were seen. Abundant collaterals were seen around the occlusive graft. After twelve weeks of reconstruction

scanning electron microscopy revealed that APT grafts were covered with a layer of endothelial--like cells with a certain arranging direction. Conclusion. Peritoneum is a perspective self-material for portal reconstruction. Long-term patency of the APT were a little lower than that of the autogenous vein. It is worth further studying.