TIPSS is an acronym that stands for "Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt." It refers to a medical procedure used to treat complications of portal hypertension, a condition where blood flow in the liver is obstructed, leading to high blood pressure in the portal vein. TIPSS involves the creation of a shunt, or a small artificial channel, between the hepatic vein and the portal vein inside the liver. This shunt allows blood to bypass the obstructed liver and directly flow into the systemic circulation, relieving the pressure in the portal vein.
During the TIPSS procedure, an interventional radiologist uses image guidance and performs a minimally invasive technique to insert a stent, a small metal mesh tube, within the liver. The stent forms the shunt and helps maintain the desired blood flow. TIPSS can effectively treat complications associated with portal hypertension, such as variceal bleeding, ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdomen), and hepatic hydrothorax (fluid accumulation in the lungs).
TIPSS offers several advantages over traditional surgical shunts, including lower rates of complications, shorter recovery time, and the ability to perform the procedure without extensive abdominal surgery. However, it also carries some risks, such as encephalopathy (a brain disorder), stent occlusion or dysfunction, and infection.
Overall, TIPSS is a specialized medical intervention that helps reduce the effects of portal hypertension by creating a bypass route for blood flow within the liver, thereby offering a potential treatment option for patients with certain liver conditions.
