Two 10-year and 11-year-old children with oesophageal and gastric varicose haemorrhage unresponsive to medical treatment and repeated endoscopic sclerotherapy underwent percutaneous transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting (TIPSS). A newly developed introducing system was used. The procedure was performed to avoid the increased risk of emergency liver transplantation in children with hepatic failure. Immediately after the procedure bleeding stopped and the patient's condition improved. Ascites disappeared and liver function improved. The stent shunt was shown to be patent by angiography and Doppler ultrasound for a follow up period of more than 1 year.
Conclusion: TIPSS may be of benefit in children with severe portal hypertension. It allows control of intractable bleeding, and stabilizes the patients preparing them for subsequent elective orthotopic liver transplantation.