The aim of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy used as a tool for graft rescue in patients with pancreas graft venous thrombosis (PVGT).

Of 110 patients who underwent pancreas transplantation, graft venous thrombosis was discovered in 36 patients (33%). Seven patients (mean, 31 years; range, 15-36 years) who had complete or near complete thrombosis (> 80%) of the splenic vein and/or superior mesenteric vein seen on postoperative CT were referred for interventional radiology to perform percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy.

Of these seven patients, successful evacuation of the PVGT was possible in six patients and the thrombus was partially evacuated in one patient. In this patient, subsequent anticoagulation salvaged the graft, thus rendering the primary and secondary technical success rates as 86% and 100%, respectively. As pancreas grafts were successfully functioning in all seven patients within one month following endovascular treatment, the clinical success rate was 100%. There were also no procedure-related complications. The patient and graft survival rates were both 100%, and the mean patient survival period was 9.4 months (range, 3.6-22.2 months).

Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy seems to be a safe and effective graft salvage treatment for patients with severe PVGT (>80%).

CITATION INFORMATION: Shin S, Ko H, Ko K, Kim Y, Choi J, Jung J, Han D. Mechanical Thrombectomy for the Treatment of Pancreas Transplant Venous Thrombosis: A Single Center Experience. Am J Transplant. 2016;16 (suppl 3).

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