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Updated: May 14, 2026

New Thrombectomy Technique for Total Portal Vein Thrombosis in Liver Transplantation
08:45

New Thrombectomy Technique for Total Portal Vein Thrombosis in Liver Transplantation

Published on: June 27, 2025

Portal vein thrombosis in liver transplantation

Rafael Antonio Arruda Pécora1, Bernardo Fernandes Canedo, Wellington Andraus

  • 1Departamento de Gastroenterologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. raapecora@yahoo.com.br

Arquivos Brasileiros De Cirurgia Digestiva : ABCD = Brazilian Archives of Digestive Surgery
|February 16, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is no longer a contraindication for liver transplantation. Advances in surgical strategies allow successful liver transplants in patients with PVT, achieving comparable outcomes to those without PVT.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Transplant Surgery
  • Vascular Surgery

Background:

  • Historically, portal vein thrombosis (PVT) posed significant risks, leading to high morbidity and mortality in liver transplantation.
  • Recent advancements have improved outcomes, challenging previous contraindications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evolution of surgical strategies for liver transplantation in patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT).
  • To assess the impact of PVT on liver transplant outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of Medline, Scielo, and Lilacs databases.
  • Analysis of publications focusing on portal vein thrombosis, liver transplantation, vascular complications, and surgical techniques.
  • Data synthesis on epidemiology, risk factors, classification, diagnosis, surgical approaches, and patient outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is now manageable in liver transplantation, with various strategies tailored to PVT grade.
  • Despite potentially higher morbidity and re-thrombosis rates, liver transplantation outcomes in PVT patients are comparable to those without PVT.
  • Surgical techniques like jump grafts and multivisceral transplants are relevant considerations.

Conclusions:

  • Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is not an absolute contraindication for liver transplantation.
  • Effective surgical strategies exist to manage PVT during liver transplantation.
  • Liver transplantation in the context of PVT offers similar long-term results to standard liver transplants.
Abstract

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