Extrahepatic portal hypertension was induced in the rabbit by a one-stage complete ligation of the portal vein. End renal vein to side splenic vein shunts (renosplenic) were performed with haemorrhagic necrosis of the left kidney occurring after ligation of the left renal vein lateral to the adrenolumbar tributary. Thus the ureteric, lumbar, and pericapsular collaterals cannot adequately drain the left kidney. Ligation of the left renal vein on the medial side of the adrenolumbar tributary maintained a patent left renal vein in all cases with 60% of left kidney biopsies showing no histological evidence of changes to glomeruli or tubules, and the remainder showing early acute tubular necrosis.