The Effect of Transabdominal Ultrasound-Guided Transjugular Portal Venous Puncture on Radiation Exposure in the Establishment of a Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt

Abstract

Objective: The study's objective is to assess the technical and clinical results of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedure carried out under additional transabdominal ultrasound guidance. Methods: We evaluated the radiation dosage for all TIPS performed with transabdominal ultrasound guidance for PV puncture over a four-year period (n=212, with 210 successfully completed and data available for 206); fluoroscopy time, dose area product (DAP), and skin dose were recorded. Results: The mean fluoroscopy time was 12 minutes and 9 seconds (SD, 14 minutes and 38 seconds), the mean DAP was 40.3 ± 73.1 Gy.cm2, and the mean skin dosage was 404.3 ± 464.8 mGy. Conclusion: Our findings show that ultrasound-guided PV puncture yields fluoroscopy times and radiation doses that are significantly lower than the sole published dose reference limits.