The results of liver transplantation are compromised in cirrhotic patients presenting with renal insufficiency from hepatorenal syndrome. A case of cirrhosis and hepatorenal syndrome, treated sequentially with transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic stent shunting (TIPSS) and liver transplantation, is discussed. TIPSS may be useful for correcting renal dysfunction and/or hepatorenal syndrome in end-stage cirrhotics, thus permitting subsequent elective liver transplantation under good conditions.