The successful management of portal vein thrombosis after hepatic transplantation with a splenorenal shunt.
Portal vein thrombosis is an infrequent complication after hepatic transplantation, but is quite dramatic when it occurs. It is usually managed by retransplantation with a significant mortality rate. We present a patient in whom portal vein thrombosis after hepatic transplantation was ultimately managed by a splenorenal shunt. The portal vein thrombosis was manifested by bleeding esophageal varices and, yet, normal hepatic function obviated the need for a new graft (one was not readily available). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first presentation of a patient with a transplant of the liver with acute portal vein occlusion and maintained hepatic function who has been successfully managed by a portosystemic shunt.
Rouch
D A
DA
Department of Surgery, University of Chicago Medical Center, Illinois.
Emond
J C
JC
Ferrari
M
M
Yousefzadeh
D
D
Whitington
P
P
Broelsch
C E
CE
D002648:Child; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000209:etiology; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D011169:Portal Vein; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013164:Splenorenal Shunt, Surgical; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D014463:Ultrasonography