Orthotopic liver transplantation in case of TIPS stent dislocation

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) are indicated in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension for treatment of variceal bleeding or refractory ascites. Additionally implantation of stents may lead to stent dislocation or thrombosis in up to 20 % of cases. Detailed information about stent dislocation and its impact on subsequent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is rare regarding the literature. We report on a patient suffering from ethyltoxic liver cirrhosis in which OLT was technically complicated by a thrombosed TIPS stent, dislocated in the portal vein. This stent was implanted prior to OLT due to refractory ascites and partial portal vein thrombosis. We conclude that TIPS stent insertion, especially in liver transplant candidates, should only be performed by radiologists in centers with expertise and experience.     

浅析经颈静脉肝内门体静脉分流术治疗门静脉高压并发症

目的评估经颈静脉肝内门体静脉分流术(TIPS)治疗肝硬化门静脉高压并发症的安全性和有效性。方法自2013年12月至2014年6月,收集31例接受TIPS治疗的肝硬化门静脉高压症的临床资料。术前均接受肝脏CT增强扫描和血管三维重建,了解肝静脉与门静脉的解剖结构关系,以便确定穿刺门静脉分支的靶点,术中,28例栓塞曲张的食管胃底静脉,28例置入巴德公司的一个裸支架加一个Fluency覆膜支架,2例置入单个Fluency覆膜支架。结果 31例患者中30例TIPS操作成功,其中穿刺门静脉右支26例,穿刺门静脉左支4例,成功率为96.8%(30/31);1例因门静脉海绵样变性未成功;无严重并发症发生,近期止血率为100%。结论 TIPS治疗肝硬化门静脉高压并发症是安全和有效的。     

Misplacement of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts: A surgical challenge for liver transplantation?

BackgroundThe impact of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt misplacement on outcomes of liver transplantation remains controversial. We systematically reviewed the literature on the outcomes of liver transplantation with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt misplacement.MethodsThis systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The Cochrane library, PubMed, and Embase were searched (January 1990–April 2020) for studies reporting patients undergoing liver transplantation with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt misplacement.ResultsThirty-six studies reporting 181 patients who underwent liver transplantation with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt misplacement were identified. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was misplaced with a variable degree of extension toward the inferior vena cava/right heart in 63 patients (34%), the spleno/portal/superior mesenteric venous confluence in 105 patients (58%), and both in 15 patients (8%). Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt thrombosis was also present in 21 cases (12%). The median interval between transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement and liver transplantation ranged from 1 day to 6 years. Complete transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt removal was successfully performed in all but 12 (7%) patients in whom part of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was left in situ. Cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass was necessary to remove transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt from the right heart in 4 patients (2%), and a venous graft interposition was necessary for a portal anastomosis in 5 patients (3%). Postoperative mortality (90 days) was 1.1% (2 patients), and portal vein thrombosis developed postoperatively in 4 patients (2%).ConclusionMisplaced transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt removal is possible in most cases during liver transplantation with extremely low mortality and good postoperative outcomes. Preoperative surgical strategy and intraoperative tailored surgical technique reduces the potential consequences of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt misplacement.     

Liver transplantation in patients with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts

BACKGROUND: In patients with intractable oesophageal variceal bleeding, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPSS) are being used increasingly as a bridge to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx). There is little information in the literature concerning variations in the operative techniques of OLTx required because of the presence of TIPSS. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients treated by TIPSS prior to OLTx was undertaken. The aims were to assess the effectiveness of TIPSS in bridging patients to OLTx and to examine whether TIPSS influence the operative management of OLTx. RESULTS: Over a 4-year period eight adult patients underwent TIPSS insertion prior to OLTx in the Australian National Liver Transplant Unit (ANLTU). Transplantation was performed at a mean of 14.6 (0.3-53.8) months after TIPSS insertion. Prevention of major recurrent variceal haemorrhage prior to transplantation was achieved in six cases. In two patients the stents were predominantly intrahepatic and they did not interfere with OLTx. In five patients the stents extended into the portal vein, requiring removal during OLTx either by division of the stent with the recipient portal vein, followed by removal of the fractured stent wires from the portal veins (n = 3), or by 'endarterectomy' of the recipient portal vein, allowing removal of the intact stent (n = 2). In one case where the stent extended into the suprahepatic inferior vena cava, removal was achieved by traction without difficulty. All patients are alive at a mean of 24 (7-53) months post-transplant and none has portal vein abnormalities. When compared to 178 adult patients who had no TIPSS and underwent primary OLTx during the same study period, there was no difference in the length of operating time or the usage of blood products during OLTx. CONCLUSION: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts offer a bridge to OLTx by providing effective control of variceal haemorrhage. In the present series TIPSS did not increase surgical morbidity or mortality, but emphasis is placed upon the need for optimal TIPSS placement within the liver to facilitate subsequent OLTx.     

The utility of TIPS in the management of Budd-Chiari syndrome

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare condition associated with hepatic venous outflow obstruction classically treated with portosystemic shunts or liver transplantation. Recent reports indicate promising results with the use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) in the treatment of these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed a 10-year single-institution experience with TIPS in patients diagnosed with BCS. RESULTS: Eleven patients with BCS underwent TIPS procedures, 3 of whom carried a diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, a relative contraindication for liver transplantation. One TIPS procedure was unsuccessful for technical reasons. No patient suffered mortality or major morbidity related to the TIPS procedure. The mean reduction of portal venous pressures was 43.7%, with a mean decrease of 73% in the pressure gradient. Of the 7 patients where long-term follow-up was available, 57% had shunts which remained patent but required several nonsurgical revisions for occlusion, with an average assisted patency of 37.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: TIPS is an effective modality in the treatment of patients with BCS, especially for those who are not candidates for liver transplantation. TIPS can be successfully used as a bridge to surgical portosystemic shunting, as well as liver transplantation, but may cause technical difficulties when performing transplantation.     

Percutaneous intravascular stents for treatment of portal venous stenosis after liver transplantation: midterm results

Portal vein stenosis after liver transplantation is a relatively uncommon vascular complication that may result in graft loss if not promptly treated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the midterm result of the use of intravascular stents for portal vein stenosis after liver transplantation. From April 2004 to September 2005, percutaneous transhepatic balloon dilation with stent deployment was performed in nine cases. Varices were embolized with stainless steel coils in two cases. No procedure-related complication occurred. Portal venous patency was maintained in all nine patients from 6 to 19 months (mean 10 months). In conclusion, an intravascular stent is an effective treatment for the portal vein stenosis after liver transplantation with excellent midterm patency.     

覆膜支架经颈静脉肝内门体分流术治疗门静脉主干癌栓

目的探讨Fluency覆膜支架经颈静脉肝内门腔分流术(TIPS)治疗门静脉主干癌栓并门静脉高压症的临床应用价值。方法对11例原发性肝癌伴门静脉主干癌栓导致门静脉高压症患者行TIPS术。其中9例为食管胃底静脉曲张合并急性出血,另2例为顽固性腹腔积液。TIPS术中采用Fluency覆膜支架建立肝内门腔分流道。测量支架置入前后的门静脉压力。术后随访1~18个月,分析疗效。结果 11例TIPS术均获成功,共置入21枚覆膜支架,直径8mm支架20枚,7mm支架1枚,支架长度4~8cm。平均门静脉压力由术前(32.00±4.12)mmHg降至(11.82±3.09)mmHg(t=10.76,P0.001)。6例在术后1周出现不同程度肝性脑病,经口服乳果糖等内科处理后症状消失。9例急性出血患者术后出血停止,另2例顽固性腹腔积液患者术后腹腔积液明显减少。随访期间,超声提示支架血流通畅,无复发。9例因多器官衰竭于术后2~14个月死亡[平均(5.67±4.00)个月];另2例分别随访16及18个月仍存活。结论对门静脉主干癌栓并门静脉高压症患者,采用覆膜支架行TIPS术是可行的,可有效控制近期门静脉高压相关症状。     

Conversion of failed transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt to distal splenorenal shunt in patients with Child A or B cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE: The authors demonstrate the feasibility of converting failed transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) to distal splenorenal shunt (DSRS) in patients with good hepatic reserve for long-term control of variceal bleeding. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: TIPS is an effective method for decompressing the portal venous system and controlling bleeding from esophageal and gastric varices. TIPS insufficiency is, however, a common problem, and treatment alternatives in patients with an occluded TIPS are limited because most have already failed endoscopic therapy. METHODS: The records of five patients who underwent conversion from TIPS to DSRS because of TIPS failure or complication in the past 36 months were reviewed. RESULTS: Four patients had ethanol-induced cirrhosis and one patient had hepatitis C virus cirrhosis. Three patients were Child-Pugh class A and two were class B. All patients had excellent liver function, with galactose elimination capacities ranging from 388 to 540 mg/min (normal 500 +/- 100 mg/min). The patients had TIPS placed for acute (2) or sclerotherapy-resistant (3) variceal hemorrhage. All five TIPS stenosed 3 to 23 months after placement, with recurrent variceal hemorrhage and failed TIPS revision. One patient had stent migration to the superior mesenteric vein that was removed at the time of DSRS. All five patients underwent successful DSRS, and none have had recurrent hemorrhage 18 to 36 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: TIPS provides inadequate long-term therapy for some Child-Pugh A or B patients with recurrent variceal hemorrhage. TIPS failure in patients with good liver function can be salvaged by DSRS in many cases.     

膨体聚四氟乙烯覆膜支架与裸支架对经颈静脉肝内门体分流术后门静脉系统血流动力学的影响

目的 对比研究膨体聚四氟乙烯(ePTFE)覆膜支架与裸支架对肝硬化门静脉高压症患者经颈静脉肝内门体分流(TIPS)术后门静脉系统血流动力学的影响.方法 对2007年4月至2009年4月收入南京军区总医院普通外科的60例门静脉高压症患者行TIPS术,术中分别应用8mm直径裸支架和8 mm直径ePTFE覆膜支架.术后观察临床疗效,并应用门静脉造影直接测压及彩色多普勒超声监测手术前后及随访过程中门静脉系统血流动力学参数的变化.结果 所有患者均顺利完成TIPS术,术中未出现操作并发症.术后随访裸支架组平均(8±4)个月,覆膜支架组为(6±4)个月.TIPS术后两组门体压力梯度分别下降约60%及58%(t=0.79,P>0.05),术后裸支架组门体压力梯度逐渐上升[(13.2±1.2)mm Hg],而覆膜支架组保持在术后水平[(9.5±2.9)mm Hg],二者之间相比差异有统计学意义,P<0.05.超声多普勒显示TIPS术后覆膜支架组门静脉系统血流速度和流量参数均显著高于裸支架组,肝内分流道流速及流量参数高于裸支架组[(125±20)cm/s比(88±13)cm/s、(1816±380)ml/min比(1074±239)ml/min],差异有统计学意义,P<0.01.结论 ePTFE覆膜支架维持了TIPS术后门静脉系统及分流道内的高速、高流量血流,维持了较低的门体压力梯度,提高了TIPS术后分流道的通畅率.     

Biliary-Venous Fistula Complicating Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Presenting With Recurrent Bacteremia, Jaundice, Anemia and Fever

A 50-year-old White man with noncirrhotic portal hypertension presented with bleeding from gastric varices. Bleeding was initially managed with band ligation and subsequent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). Over the next few months, the patient had recurrent episodes of anemia, jaundice, fever and polymicrobial bacteremia. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and chest, upper and lower endoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and echocardiography failed to explain the bacteremia and anemia. Follow-up CT scan and Doppler sonography 9 months after placement showed TIPS was occluded. Repeat ERCP showed a bile leak with free run-off of contrast from the left hepatic duct into a vascular structure. The patient's status was upgraded for liver transplantation with Regional Review Board agreement and subsequently received a liver transplant. Gross examination of the native liver demonstrated a fistula between the left bile duct and the middle hepatic vein. Pathologic evaluation confirmed focal necrosis of the left hepatic duct communicating with an occluded TIPS and nodular regenerative hyperplasia consistent with noncirrhotic portal hypertension. Infection is rarely reported in a totally occluded TIPS. Biliary fistulas in patent TIPS have been treated by endoluminal stent graft and endoscopic sphincterotomy with biliary stent placement. Liver transplantation may be the preferred treatment if TIPS becomes infected following its complete occlusion.     

Surgical management of anatomical variations of the right lobe in living donor liver transplantation

OBJECTIVE: To review the anatomical variations of the right lobe encountered in 40 living liver donors, describe the surgical management of these variations, and summarize the results of these procedures. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Anatomical variability is the rule rather than the exception in liver and biliary surgery. To make effective use of liver segments from living donors for transplantation, surgical techniques must be adapted to the anomalies. METHODS: Donor evaluation included celiac and mesenteric angiography with portal phase, magnetic resonance angiography, and intraoperative ultrasonography and cholangiography. Arterial anastomoses were generally between the donor right hepatic artery and the recipient main hepatic artery. Jump-grafts were constructed for recipients with hepatic artery thrombosis, and double donor arteries were joined to the bifurcation of the recipient hepatic artery. The branches of a trifurcated donor portal vein were isolated during the parenchymal transection, joined in a common cuff, and anastomosed to the recipient main portal vein. Significant accessory hepatic veins were preserved, brought together in a common cuff if multiple, and anastomosed to the recipient cava. The bile ducts were individually drained through a Roux-en-Y limb, and stents were placed in most patients. RESULTS: Forty right lobe liver transplants were performed between adults. No donor was excluded because of prohibitive anatomy. Seven recipients had a prior transplant and five had a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). Arterial anomalies were noted in six donors and portal anomalies in four. Arterial jump-grafts were required in three. Sixteen had at least one significant accessory hepatic vein, and one had a double right hepatic vein. There were no vascular complications. Multiple bile ducts were found in 27 donors. Biliary complications occurred in 33% of patients without stents and 4% with stents. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomical variations of the right lobe can be accommodated without donor complications or complex reconstruction. Previous transplantation and TIPS do not significantly complicate right lobe transplantation. Microvascular arterial anastomosis is not necessary, and vascular complications should be infrequent. Biliary complications can be minimized with stenting.     

Portal vein thrombosis in patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation: intraoperative endovascular radiological procedures

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of endovascular procedures for portal vein complications during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 1994 and November 2004, we performed 504 OLTs in 464 adults. Seventy-eight patients (16.8%) presented with portal vein thrombosis (PVT). This analysis of patients from May 2000 to September 2004 included 10 patients with PVT, who were treated with endovascular techniques due to low portal flow. We compared this group with patients who were treated surgically with attention to rethrombosis and survival rates. If portal vein problems were due to obstruction, a venoplasty and primary stent placement were performed. We also embolized with coils or surgically ligated remaining competitive portosystemic shunts. RESULTS: Perfusion problems in the allograft were solved in all cases. We placed seven stents and embolized six competitive shunts. One anastomotic dysfunction was repaired. None of the patients died or rethrombosed during surgery or follow-up. CONCLUSION: Endovascular techniques during OLT can resolve some liver graft perfusion problems due to PVT and "steal" phenomena, especially with unsatisfactory eversion thromboendovenectomy in patients with grade IV PVT. Although primary permeability of stents has been good, these results need to be confirmed.     

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt approach and local thrombolysis for treatment of early posttransplant portal vein thrombosis

Early portal vein thrombosis is a rare but severe posttransplant complication that may lead to graft and/or patient loss. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting and local thrombolysis may represent an easy solution to this major complication of liver transplantation.     

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in adult liver recipient with delayed graft function

BACKGROUND: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) has become an effective treatment for the complications of portal hypertension. We assessed the feasibility and outcome of TIPS in liver transplant recipients who developed delayed graft function (DGF) with portal hypertension. METHODS: From June 2003 to June 2004, 80 cadaveric orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx) have been performed at our institution. Five patients (6.25%) developed DGF with hyperbilirubinemia and ascites with severe portal hypertension and were treated with TIPS placement (in the 6-month time period from the transplantation). RESULTS: There were no complications related to the procedure. No episodes of encephalopathy were seen. Four patients had better control of the ascites. In one case, we observed complete recovery of the transplanted liver with normalization of the liver function test. Three patients underwent retransplantation (within 7 days from the TIPS), whereas 1 is still on the list 6 months after TIPS placement with recurrent episodes of ascites. CONCLUSIONS: In our preliminary series, TIPS reduced dramatically the portosystemic gradient and improved clinical conditions. The results were negatively affected by the fact that the transplanted liver did not recover its function.     

Primary Budd-Chiari syndrome: outcome of endovascular management for suprahepatic venous obstruction

OBJECTIVE: Primary Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare form of hepatic venous outflow obstruction at the suprahepatic inferior vena cava (IVC), the hepatic veins, or both. We assessed our 4-year experience in the management of BCS to evaluate the results of our methods of care. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of a nonrandomized clinical trial conducted in three teaching hospitals. Among 28 primary BCS patients, 9 remained in medical treatment only, and 19 who failed to respond to medical treatment received additional endovascular (n = 17) or surgical therapy (n = 2). Nine underwent IVC balloon angioplasty alone, 6 had angioplasty plus stents, and 2 had transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) for hepatic vein lesions. One patient had a mesoatrial bypass; another had liver transplantation. Immediate response to the therapy was assessed with angiography and ultrasonography based on anatomic and/or hemodynamic correction or reduction of the lesion. Subsequent assessment of portal hypertension status was made with periodic clinical and laboratory evaluation (eg, ultrasonography, liver biopsy). RESULTS: Twenty-six patients had had IVC stenosis or occlusion by focal or segmental lesion. Two patients had hepatic vein outlet obstruction. There was no evidence of coagulopathy as the pathogenesis; all were related to membranous obstruction of the vena cava. Excellent immediate response to the endovascular therapy and subsequent relief of portal hypertension were achieved in 14 patients. Four patients had restenosis or progression of the residual lesion within 2 years; three responded to repeated stenting. Primary patency was 76.5%, and primary assisted patency was 94.1%. Two patients with TIPS and two with surgical therapy maintained excellent results. The medical treatment remained effective only in a limited group of 6 (21.4%) of the 28 patients. CONCLUSIONS: In BCS, both endovascular and surgical interventions provide excellent results and potentially halt liver parenchymal deterioration caused by portal hypertension. Liver transplantation remains the ultimate solution for advanced liver failure.     

Intraoperative stent placement in the portal vein during or after liver transplantation.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the intermediate effectiveness of intraoperative portal vein stent placement for portal venous stenosis in liver transplantation. We attempted intraoperative portal vein stent placement in 44 portal venous anastomotic stenoses in 36 patients. All patients underwent stent placement via either the inferior or superior mesenteric vein. A total of 22 patients underwent portal vein stent placement simultaneously with liver transplantation, and 14 patients underwent stent placement 1-25 days (mean 5.93 days) after liver transplantation. Of the 22 patients, there was portal vein occlusion in 3 patients and small portal vein (<6 mm) in 10 patients (2.5-5.7 mm; mean size 3.9 mm). Patient follow-up included clinical and laboratory data collection, Doppler ultrasonography (US), and computed tomography (CT). Intraoperative portal vein stent placement was technically successful in all of our study patients, even in 6 patients with total occlusion of the portal vein. A total of 10 study patients underwent thrombectomy of the portal vein, 1 underwent patient portosystemic shunt ligation, and 7 patients had both procedures simultaneously. Portal venous patency has been maintained for 0-56 months (mean 16 months) in 42 (95%) of the 44 stent placements. In conclusion, intraoperative portal vein stent placement is an effective and long lasting treatment modality for treat portal venous stenosis, especially in patients with portal vein occlusion or small sized portal vein.     

The changing spectrum of treatment for variceal bleeding.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of endoscopic therapy, liver transplantation, and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) on patient selection and outcome of surgical treatment for this complication of portal hypertension, as reflected in a single surgeon's 18-year experience with operations for variceal hemorrhage. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Definitive treatment of patients who bleed from portal hypertension has been progressively altered during the past 2 decades during which endoscopic therapy, liver transplantation, and TIPS have successively become available as alternative treatment options to operative portosystemic shunts and devascularization procedures. METHODS: Two hundred sixty-three consecutive patients who were surgically treated for portal hypertensive bleeding between 1978 and 1996 were reviewed retrospectively. Four Eras separated by the dates when endoscopic therapy (January 1981), liver transplantation (July 1985), and TIPS (January 1993) became available in our institution were analyzed. Throughout all four Eras, a selective operative approach, using the distal splenorenal shunt (DSRS), nonselective shunts, and esophagogastric devascularization, was taken. The most common indications for nonselective shunts and esophagogastric devascularization were medically intractable ascites and splanchnic venous thrombosis, respectively. Most other patients received a DSRS. RESULTS: The risk status (Child's class) of patients undergoing surgery progressively improved (p = 0.001) throughout the 4 Eras, whereas the need for emergency surgery declined (p = 0.002). The percentage of nonselective shunts performed decreased because better options to manage acute bleeding episodes (sclerotherapy, TIPS) and advanced liver disease complicated by ascites (liver transplantation, TIPS) became available (p = 0.009). In all Eras, the operative mortality rate was directly related to Child's class (A, 2.7%; B, 7.5%; and C, 26.1 %) (p = 0.001). As more good-risk patients underwent operations for variceal bleeding, the incidence of postoperative encephalopathy decreased (p = 0.015), and long-term survival improved (p = 0.012), especially since liver transplantation became available to salvage patients who developed hepatic failure after a prior surgical procedure. There were no differences between Eras with respect to rebleeding or shunt occlusion. Distal splenorenal shunts (p = 0.004) and nonselective shunts (p = 0.001) were more protective against rebleeding than was esophagogastric devascularization. CONCLUSIONS: The sequential introduction of endoscopic therapy, liver transplantation, and TIPS has resulted in better selection and improved results with respect to quality and length of survival for patients treated surgically for variceal bleeding. Despite these innovations, portosystemic shunts and esophagogastric devascularization remain important and effective options for selected patients with bleeding secondary to portal hypertension.     

Use of splenic artery embolization to relieve tense ascites following liver transplantation in a patient with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Recurrent venous thrombosis following liver transplantation for Budd-Chiari syndrome is common, particularly in the setting of an underlying myeloproliferative disorder. We describe a patient who developed refractory ascites due to portal vein thrombosis following liver transplantation for Budd-Chiari syndrome in the setting of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Extensive portal vein thrombosis, dense abdominal adhesions, and portosystemic collaterals precluded the use of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt or surgical portosystemic shunt to manage the patient's ascites. Splenic artery embolization to decrease portal hypertension was performed, and this resulted in complete resolution of ascites. This case demonstrates the successful use of splenic artery embolization to manage ascites due to portal vein thrombosis following liver transplantation. Splenic artery embolization may be considered as an alternative option for the management of refractory ascites due to portal hypertension in patients who are unable to undergo safe transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt or surgical shunt placement.     

经颈静脉肝内门体分流术治疗门静脉海绵样变并发门静脉高压

目的探讨经颈静脉肝内门腔静脉分流术治疗合并门静脉海绵样变的门静脉高压症的疗效。方法 8例反复上消化道出血患者(均有肝硬化、门静脉高压)术前均经B超及CT等影像学证实伴有门静脉海绵样变,门静脉主干及左右支有完全或部分闭塞,对其行TIPS治疗,并评价疗效。结果对7例患者均成功施行TIPS术,1例失败,6例为先经皮穿刺右肝门静脉分支,建立经门静脉右支至主干通道,并行球囊扩张成形治疗。其中4例经常规TIPS途径由肝右静脉穿刺门静脉右支建立门腔静脉分流道,2例由门静脉右支穿刺右肝静脉建立门腔静脉分流道。1例穿刺门静脉右支失败,改由常规TIPS途径穿刺门静脉左支建立门腔静脉分流道。门静脉压力由术前的(33.72±8.35)mmHg降低至术后的(21.43±7.64)mmHg;1例在术后6个月发现分流道狭窄,再次植入支架后恢复通畅。1例术后5个月再发黑便,复查提示分流道堵塞,并门静脉广泛血栓形成,放弃进一步治疗。另5例在12个月随访中分流道通畅,未再发消化道出血。结论 TIPS是治疗伴门静脉海绵样变的门静脉高压症的安全、有效的方法。     

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts for refractory ascites after liver transplantation

PURPOSE: To study the efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) in the management of refractory ascites after liver transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1995 and December 2003, 309 primary adult liver transplants were performed. Refractory ascites was defined as active interventions (salt restriction, diuretic use, repeated paracentesis) needed beyond 30 days after transplantation. These patients were managed with TIPS placement. RESULTS: Eight TIPS were placed in 8 patients at a mean of 11.5 months after transplantation (range, 2-36 months). There were 5 males and 3 females, age 54 +/- 8.2 years. Hepatitis C was the primary diagnosis in 7 patients and primary biliary cirrhosis in 1. Indications for TIPS included refractory ascites (8), associated variceal bleeding (2), and various degrees of hepatic vein outflow stenosis (3). Seven patients had resolution of ascites and associated findings of portal hypertension, and 1 patient with persistent ascites had severe hepatic vein outflow stenosis and associated hepatitis C in the allograft. Two patients required retransplantation for recurrent hepatitis C. There were 3 deaths: liver failure (1), organ failure after retransplantation (1), and lung cancer 5 months after TIPS (1). Currently, 5 patients are alive without clinical evidence of ascites 9, 13, 15, 24, and 70 months after TIPS. CONCLUSIONS: The TIPS device can be used safely and effectively to control refractory ascites after liver transplantation. In the setting of organ dysfunction, these patients should be considered sooner for retransplantation.