What is a T.I.P.S.?

T.I.P.S. is a procedure that uses a small hollow tube (shunt) to make a new pathway for the blood to flow from the liver to the large veins of the body.

Why do I need a T.I.P.S.?

• Your liver is severely scarred and cannot perform its normal job of clearing the blood of poisons.
• Due to the scarring, blood backs up in the blood vessels that take blood to the liver.
• The blood that is backed up causes bulging of the vein (varices). These varices can rupture and bleed.
• Death can occur with bleeding from varices.
• T.I.P.S. gives blood a pathway to prevent varices from bleeding.

Where is the T.I.P.S. performed?

It is performed in the Interventional Radiology Department.

Who will perform the T.I.P.S.?

One or our specially trained Interventional Radiologists.

What can I expect before the T.I.P.S.?

• You will be seen by one of our doctors and/or nurse clinicians, who will obtain a health history, perform a brief physical exam, explain the procedure, and answer your questions.
• You will have blood drawn and an IV (intravenous) catheter started.
• You will receive IV (intravenous) medicine to help prevent infection and bleeding during the procedure.
• You will be requested to sign a consent form.

What can I expect during the T.I.P.S.?

• You will be attached to a monitor and you will be given IV (intravenous) "sleeping" medications by the Anesthesiologist.
• Your neck area will be cleaned with special soap.
• The doctor will numb the skin over your neck area with special medicine through a needle.
• The doctor will insert a small catheter into your neck vein.
• Through this catheter, smaller catheters will be inserted to reach the veins in your liver.
• With these catheters, a small hollow tube (shunt) will then be inserted into the liver veins making a new pathway for your blood to flow around the scarred liver.

What can I expect after the T.I.P.S.?

• You will return to your hospital room to be closely observed for bleeding. Also, close supervision of the shunt will be necessary because scar tissue can close off the shunt.
• Because the blood will now bypass the liver, poisons in your blood may make you sleepy or disoriented.
• You may have to take medicine to correct this. This usually doesn't last long. If the medications don't work, the shunt may have to be closed.

What are the risks of having a T.I.P.S.?

• Bleeding
• Infection
• A tear in the liver
• Becoming sleepy or disoriented.

What are the benefits of having a T.I.P.S.?

• To relieve the back up of blood in your body.
• To make you more comfortable.
• To relieve life-threatening bleeding from the varices.

What are the alternatives to having a T.I.P.S.?

• Having a shunt put in surgically.
• Varicele sclerosis or banding.
• Peritoneal shunt insertion.