95 thoughts on “The Rex Shunt Procedure for Portal Hypertension”

1. Jon Higham April 6, 2010 at 4:19 pm

   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.

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   1. Clint Post authorApril 6, 2010 at 5:57 pm

      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

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2. Sheba Cunningham September 13, 2010 at 12:14 am

   My daughter had the Rex Shunt in 2001 at the age of 2 by DR. Superina….She is doing wonderful..no more problems..
   Interesting thing I now have a son 2 years old and we notice his spleen enlarged..he has splenic vein thrombosis and more test needs to be done..Hopefully we will see Dr. Superina soon! Dad and daughter both have abnormal blood clotting disorder.

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   1. Clint Post authorSeptember 13, 2010 at 12:31 am

      Dr. Superina’s notoriety seems to be growing! Great news regarding your daughter – so glad she is thriving! Hope you get to to bottom of your little guys thrombosis! You mentioned that both Dad and daughter have abnormal clotting disorder – have they named that disorder? If you don’t mind me asking, what if anything for blood thinners are Dad and daughter on? Look forward to your response. If you don’t mind please keep me informed about what happens over your son? Take care!

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3. Jen September 24, 2010 at 5:30 pm

   Hi Clint

   RIght now i am fighting to have my son fixed by Dr. Superina. We are from BC and its quite a process we have seen Dr. Superina and as well Dr. Kim in Toronto has commented on my sons case. Good luch to you!

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4. Sheba September 30, 2010 at 10:48 pm

   Hi Clint

   The blood clotting disorder is factor 5 Laden(?)spelling.
   My sons was also abnormal. We will be going to Chicago in a couple of weeks to see Dr. Superina for more test. My daughter was only on blood thinner for 6 months after surgery.My husband was on coumadin for a couple of years but is not taking it at the current time. My husband had a DVT in 2004. Daughter had PVT in 2001. This seems to be a genetic thing. Unsure why it has affected two of my children in the portal vein area. We noticed the symptoms on our children around the age of 1. We have caught my sons earlier. He has enlarged spleen and varices on the esophagus that they had to band to control bleeding. He has not had to have any blood transfusions yet. Thank the Lord!

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   1. Clint Post authorOctober 2, 2010 at 11:39 pm

      Hello Sheba,

      Thanks for your reply. It is truly amazing what you have gone through with your family, my heart goes out to you for sure! God has His hand upon you all and I pray that Dr. Superina will get to the bottom of this genetic abnormality. After reading all of the experiences your family has had with thrombosis and it’s side effects, it begs the question of how many other adults out there may have had this since birth? In my case, I was diagnosed at 42 (8 years ago), and both a younger sister and an older brother have both had DVT’s in their legs. Although neither one of them have PVT (thank the Lord), my sister had lung clots a few years ago. When I was diagnosed I was tested for 7 known genetic defects, but all those tests were returned negative. In fact my hematologist asked me about 4 year’s ago, “did we ever find the cause of your clotting disorder”! Can you imagine? Anyway’s I am being treated with what seems to be the standard protocol and although I had one bleed from varices in my stomach – I have not had banding in my esophogas. You mentioned that your husband had been taking Coumadin and now has stopped. If indeed he has a genetic clotting disorder – doctor’s must have felt confident enough to take him off – or is he okay now? Coumadin did not work for me and while on it I also had lung clots in both lungs in 2005. Since that time I have been on Fragmin 12,500IU twice per day. I feel like a walking pin cushion, but hey – I think this has been my saving grace? At any rate I would appreciate your input after your appointment with Dr. Superina so that maybe we can enlighten other’s and hopefully put them at ease?

      Richest blessings, Clint

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5. Eddie Martinez December 17, 2010 at 10:29 pm

   Dr. Superina performed the Rex Shunt procedure on our daughter in 2005 at the age of 13. I believe he indicated to us that she was his 50th. We even met his first patient – a wonderful boy my daughter’s age. His parents are saints and wonderful people! She is now almost 18 years old and looking forward to attending college to study Chemistry or Engineering. The operation saved our daughter’s life. We are now trying to find out how parents of young adults are coping with uknowns such as college life and future adulthood. Thanks!!!

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   1. Clint Post authorDecember 18, 2010 at 1:45 am

      Hi Eddy,

      Thanks for sharing! Excellent news regarding your daughter! With your post and my reply, we may possibly get a few others whose children have realized success from the Rex Shunt procedure?

      Judging by the response I have received on this blog and information I have read, Dr. Superina has literally saved many children’s lives (last I heard there were 150 and counting) through this life saving procedure. I also know that Dr. Superina has mentored a few other doctor’s and the operation has not only been performed in the US, but Canada, and as far as I know the UK.

      Unfortunately the Rex Shunt does not seem like a viable option for any adult with Portal Hypertension, as from what I have learned the few attempts have been unsuccessful. Apparently the portal vein deteriorates the older one gets, but children respond well and are much more resilient as their veins are stronger. The hopes and prayers of many are that new treatment options will become available soon.

      Thanks again for your post. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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6. Dianna Ramos December 30, 2010 at 8:27 pm

   Dr Superina saved my daughters life. 4 months ago she almost died as she lost half her blood volume due to esphogeal varices. Her dx: Portal vein thrombosis. Dr Superina performed the REX shunt procedure on our daughter in NOv. and she has been doing fine since. Your stories are encouraging as we still walk on egg shells for something to go wrong. SHe didnt tolerate the Persantine and had a GI bleed from the ASA. which she was re admitted for another week,. SHe is now taking plavix. Wondering if anyone else’s child has been on plavix? THanks:)

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7. Jen January 10, 2011 at 10:17 pm

   Hi Clint

   I really need to get into contact with a lady named Stacey from BC who’s daughter had the Rex Shunt done could you pease send my information to her or to me so that I can talk to her our son goes for his Rex Shunt on Jan 24th
   Thanks
   Jen

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