Treatment of portal hypertension caused by benign main portal vein stenosis with endovascular stent(

Objective To evaluate the value of endovascular stent in the treatment of portal hypertension caused by benign main portal vein stenosis.Methods Portal vein stents were implanted in (6 patients) with benign main portal vein stenosis (inflammatory stenosis in 3 cases,postprocedure of liver transplantation in another 3 cases).The change of portal vein pressure,the patency of portal vein,relative clinical symptoms,complications,and survival were evaluated.Results Six metallic stents were successfully placed across the portal vein stenotic or obstructive lesions in all 6 patients.Mean portal venous pressure decreased significantly after stent implantation from (37.3±4.7) cm H_2O (1 cm H_2O=0.098 kPa)to (18.0±1.9) cm H_2O (P0.001).The portal blood flow was restored,and the symptoms caused by portal hypertension were eliminated.There was no severe procedure-related complication.Follow-up time was from (5 to) 36 months.The portal vein remained patent during the follow-up.All patients survived except one patient who died of other complications of liver transplantation.Conclusion Percutaneous portal vein stent placement for the treatment of the benign main portal vein stenosis is safe and effective.