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Trans-splenic Access for Portal Venous Interventions in Children: Do Benefits Outweigh Risks?
Sheena Pimpalwar1, Ponraj Chinnadurai2, Alberto Hernandez3
1Division of Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, 6621 Fannin Street, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. ashwinsheena@hotmail.com.
Insights
Trans-splenic access is effective for pediatric portal interventions, but carries a risk of intraperitoneal bleeding. This bleeding complication can be managed conservatively, avoiding surgery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Interventional Radiology
- Vascular Surgery
- Hepatology
Background:
- Trans-splenic access is a critical technique for pediatric portal interventions.
- A significant concern is the risk of life-threatening intraperitoneal bleeding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review clinical indications and efficacy of trans-splenic portal interventions in children.
- To evaluate risk factors associated with intraperitoneal bleeding during these procedures.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 44 procedures in 30 pediatric patients (median age 5 years) from March 2011 to April 2017.
- Analysis of clinical indications, technical and procedural success rates, and complication incidence.
- Statistical evaluation of potential risk factors for intraperitoneal bleeding using Wilcoxon rank and Fisher's exact tests.
Main Results:
- Trans-splenic access achieved 100% technical success.
- Procedural success was 79%, including successful recanalization, embolization, and shunt occlusion.
- Intraperitoneal bleeding occurred in 27% of procedures but was managed conservatively without surgical intervention.
- Intraprocedural anticoagulation was significantly correlated with bleeding risk.
Conclusions:
- Trans-splenic access is a valuable and successful technique for pediatric portal interventions.
- While intraperitoneal bleeding is a notable risk, it can be effectively managed non-surgically.
Background:
The primary concern of trans-splenic access for portal interventions is the risk of life-threatening intraperitoneal bleeding.
Objective:
To review the clinical indications and efficacy and evaluate the risk factors for intraperitoneal bleeding during trans-splenic portal interventions in children.
Materials And Methods:
A retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent trans-splenic portal interventions at a tertiary care pediatric institution between March 2011 and April 2017 was performed. Forty-four procedures were performed in 30 children with a median age of 5 (0.3-18) years. Clinical indications, technical success, procedural success, and incidence of complications were recorded. Potential risk factors for intraperitoneal bleeding were evaluated using Wilcoxon rank and Fisher's exact tests.
Results:
Trans-splenic access was 100% successful. In 35/44 (79%) procedures, the subsequent intervention was successful including recanalization of post-transplant portal vein occlusion in 10/13, embolization of bleeding Roux limb varices in 8/8, recanalization of chronic portal vein thrombosis in native liver in 7/13, splenoportography and manometry in 6/6, and occlusion of portosystemic shunts in 4/4 procedures. Intraperitoneal bleeding occurred during 12/44 (27%) procedures and was managed with analgesics, blood transfusion, and peritoneal drainage without the need for splenectomy or splenic artery embolization. Statistically significant correlation of bleeding was found with intraprocedural anticoagulation, but not with patient age, weight, platelet count, INR, ascites, splenic length, splenic venous pressure, vascular sheath size, or tract embolization technique.
Conclusion:
Trans-splenic access is a useful technique for successful pediatric portal interventions. Although it entails a substantial risk of intraperitoneal bleeding, this can be managed conservatively.
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