Primary creation of an externally constrained TIPS: a technique to control reduction of the portosystemic gradient.

Abstract

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation increases the risk of hepatic encephalopathy due to overshunting. Techniques exist to secondarily reduce the shunt for refractory encephalopathy. The purpose of this article is to describe a technique for primary TIPS restriction using a balloon-expandable stent within the transvenous hepatic track followed by deployment of a self-expanding polytetrafluoroethylene-lined stent-graft within the balloon-expandable stent to create the TIPS. This technique enables control over the degree of portosystemic shunting in elective TIPS creation.