Stent fracture after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: A case report.

Background: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a highly effective treatment for complications associated with portal hypertension. However, stent fracture, although extremely rare, represents a potentially serious complication following TIPS creation. Timely identification and management are crucial for preventing further adverse events.

Case summary: We report a 56-year-old male patient who underwent a TIPS procedure for recurrent melena caused by portal hypertension secondary to hepatitis B and experienced a stent fracture 15 months post-procedure. He was readmitted 30 months after the initial TIPS due to recurrent esophagogastric variceal bleeding and ascites. An attempt to revise the dysfunctional shunt via a stent-in-stent approach was unsuccessful. Consequently, a parallel TIPS procedure was successfully performed via the proximal end of the fractured stent to decompress the portal venous system. At the 1-month follow-up, the patient exhibited no recurrent variceal bleeding, and his ascites had significantly decreased. Twelve-month postoperative monitoring revealed no hepatic encephalopathy and no recurrence of bleeding or ascites. Additionally, we review the existing literature on post-TIPS stent fractures to explore the underlying mechanisms contributing to this complication.

Conclusion: Early recognition and prompt intervention are essential in managing stent fractures after TIPS creation to mitigate potential risks and ensure optimal patient outcomes.