Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation in Children Weighing <10 kg Using an Unconventional Technique.

ABSTRACT

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation is a standard therapeutic procedure for the management of complications of portal hypertension. However, in small children, this procedure is infrequently performed because of technical difficulties owing to their small size and scarce information on outcomes. This article presents the results of treatment of variceal bleeding with TIPS creation in 8 children weighing <10 kg, along with the description of the unconventional techniques and materials required. Technical and clinical success rates were 100%. Although this was a small cohort of patients, the results obtained suggest that this is a safe and technically and clinically effective treatment option for complications of portal hypertension in this age group.