Rescue of Acute Portal Vein Thrombosis After Liver Transplantation Using a Cavoportal Shunt at Retransplantation

BACKGROUND: Portal vein thrombosis is a rare but devastating complication following orthotopic liver transplantation. Fulminant liver failure ensues with acute portal vein thrombosis after transplantation limiting the treatment options. METHODS: We successfully re-transplanted a 46-year-old female patient who developed acute portal vein thrombosis 19 d after orthotopic liver transplantation. Vascular reconstruction included a cavoportal shunt to augment portal blood flow. RESULTS: Twelve months after re-transplantation this patient lives independently and enjoys excellent liver allograft function. CONCLUSIONS: Cavoportal shunt can augment portal blood flow in adult recipients of orthotopic liver transplants. This technique can be successfully employed during re-transplantation when portal blood flow is inadequate to maintain patency.