Transjugular portosystemic shunt: A case report

Transjugular intrahepatic portsystemic shunt (TIPS) was performed in two patients with refractory esophageal varices due to portal hypertension with liver cirrhosis. Rosch modified Z-stents were placed to keep the lumen which was made by needle puncture and dilated by a balloon catheter. The shunt lowered average portal pressure from 50 to 33 mmHg and then decompressed the esophageal varices. Each shunts were still patent for three and one monthes after the creation of the shunts respectively. No significant complication was observed. This initial success of TIPS in Japan encouragingly Supports the efficacy and safeness of this therapy.