Laparoscopic division of a portosystemic shunt for recurrent life-threatening rectal variceal bleeding: report of a case

J Gastrointest Surg. 2014 Apr;18(4):842-4. doi: 10.1007/s11605-013-2409-9. Epub 2013 Dec 6.

Abstract

In patients with severe portal hypertension related to liver cirrhosis, recanalization of umbilical veins may lead to both development and rupture of massive anorectal varices. In this setting, while transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is considered as the treatment of choice, the management of these patients remains unclear in case of contraindications to TIPS. Laparoscopic division of massive portosystemic shunts has been reported to yield beneficial effects in patients with isolated hepatic encephalopathy but has never been attempted in a context of life-threatening lower gastrointestinal bleeding. In the present case report, we both describe the operative technique of laparoscopic division of recanalized umbilical veins to treat recurrent massive haemorrhage following rupture of giant rectal varices in a 68-year-old Child C cirrhotic patient contraindicated to TIPS and report the postoperative course of the patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Portal / complications
  • Laparoscopy / methods*
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / complications
  • Rectal Diseases / etiology
  • Rectal Diseases / surgery*
  • Rectum / blood supply*
  • Umbilical Veins / surgery*
  • Varicose Veins / etiology
  • Varicose Veins / surgery*