The Rex Shunt Procedure for Portal Hypertension
The Rex Shunt procedure is a relatively new treatment procedure for portal hypertension that has been performed on children with positive results. According to what I have learned, there are now over 90+ children in North America who have had the operation.
The Rex Shunt procedure has primarily been performed at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois by Dr. Riccardo Superina. (There maybe a few other places in the world where this procedure is being performed, but I was unable to glean that information at this time). If you are aware of any other locations please feel free to post your comments below.
Dr. Superina explains the procedure in the video below …
What is the Rex Shunt Procedure?
On the Facebook blog I subscribe to, a fellow member had asked Dr. Superina directly whether or not the procedure could be performed on adults, and this was his reply …
“There is no reason that it cannot be applied to adults, and we would be happy …to hear their cases if they wished to send case summaries along and recommend further investigation or action.”
If you wish to send a case summary to Dr. Superina his mailing address is:
Riccardo Superina, MD
2300 Children’s Plaza, Box 57
Chicago, IL 60614-3363
Considering my particular case, the verdict is still out as to whether doctors would even consider a procedure such as this, or for that matter any kind of operation due to my underlying clotting condition? For you though, or possibly someone you know maybe this procedure is something worth pursuing?
I had the privilege yesterday of meeting (via the web) Shelly Hart whose daughter Aubree had the Rex Shunt procedure performed by Dr. Superina 2 1/2 years ago. Shelly has granted me permission to post her blog and you may view it by clicking here: http://www.hartgirlies.blogspot.com/ Please click on Aubree’s health updates to view her personal journey! Thank you Shelly!
If you have a story to share regarding the Rex Shunt procedure or for that matter any other procedure your post is most welcome here!
See a case report of the Rex Shunt Procedure for Adults.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
My son had a Rex Shunt at St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds, UK, in October 2003 when he was 19 months old. As of 2010, he has had annual checkups involving a blood test and ultra-sound scans to test the speed of the blood flow through the shunt and has had no problems. The surgery was carried out by Mark Stringer, who I believe, is now with the University of Otago, New Zealand.
Thanks for your comments Jon. Nice to hear yet another success story! Up to this point I did not know if there were other places in the world that had performed this procedure. I have had prior contact with 4 other parent’s whose children have had successful Rex Shunt operations, either performed directly by Dr. Superina (Chicago Illinois) himself or through his tutelage. 2 of the 4 children from those families were right from here in Canada. As mentioned by Dr. Superina himself, he sees no reason why the operation can’t be performed on adults, but time at this point what may or may not happen in that regard. Children are so much more resilient than adults and maybe that is the real reason I am not sure? Thank you again for your comments and I wish you continued success with your son’s health.
Kindest regards, Clint