The change in the liver volume after direct intrahepatic portocaval shunt in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome with diffuse hepatic vein occlusion

Purpose To evaluate the changes in the liver volume and function after direct intrahepatic portocaval shunt (DIPS) in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) with diffuse hepatic vein (HV) occlusion. Methods The clinical data of 29 patients with BCS who underwent DIPS for intractable ascites caused by diffuse hepatic vein occlusion in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were analysed retrospectively; the patients included 8 males and 21 females, with an average age of 33.3 ± 6.3 years. The patients underwent abdominal CT scanning and liver function examinations before DIPS, and 1 week, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after DIPS. The changes of the liver volume and liver function before and after DIPS were compared. Results All 29 patients underwent DIPS successfully. 28 patients survived during the follow-up of 12–33 months, with a median follow-up of 16 months. The patients’ liver function were significantly improved at 3, 6 and 12 months after the operation compared to before the operation ( P