Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of Angioplasty and Stent Placement for the treatment of Portal Vein Stenosis in Liver Transplant Recipients by performing a systematic review. Materials and Methods: The PubMed Database was extensively searched for articles describing Portal Vein Stenosis (PVS) as a complication in Liver Transplant (LT) patients. The initial database search yielded 488 unique records published in the PubMed Database, 19 of which were deemed to meet the inclusion criteria. Outcomes were separated into 2 groups (Group A included patients with primary angioplasty, Group B included patients with primary stent placement), and further subdivided into Adult and Pediatric populations. Results: Group A included a total of 282 LT patients with portal vein stenosis. The population was predominantly pediatric (n = 243). Group B included a total of 111 LT patients with portal vein stenosis. This population was predominantly adult (n = 66). Technical success was significantly higher in both Group B pediatric (100%) and adults (97%) compared to Group A (69.5%) and (66.7%) respectively. Re-stenosis rates were significantly lower in Group B pediatric group compared to Group A (2.3% vs 29.7%, χ² = 13.9; p < 0.001). Overall major (3.1%) and minor complications rates (1.5%) were low. Conclusion: Primary stent placement appears to have higher technical success in both populations and lower re-stenosis rates for treatment of PVS in pediatric populations.

Objectives: To compare post-operative bleeding measures in patients who underwent prostatic artery embolization (PAE) prior to water-jet ablation (aquablation) vs. water-jet ablation alone. Methods: A retrospective review identified 145 patients treated with water-jet ablation for benign prostatic hyperplasia from December 2018 to June 2021. Patients were divided into two groups: water-jet ablation alone (n = 56) vs. pre-operative PAE and water-jet ablation (n = 89). Patient demographics, pertinent laboratory values, operative reports, and hospital courses were reviewed. Results: PAE was technically successful in all patients (n = 89), and all 89 patients underwent successful water-jet ablation within a median time of 2 days. Compared to water-jet ablation alone, pre-operative PAE resulted in a significant reduction in post-operative bleeding as measured via lower rates of continuous bladder irrigation, hemostatic measures, and hematuria. Pre-operative PAE was also associated with lower rates of post-operative urinary retention (odds ratio 17, p = 0.02) and less likely to require reoperation 30 days after the procedure (p = 0.003). There were no major PAE-related adverse events reported in the combination arm. Conclusions: Compared to water-jet ablation alone, pre-operative PAE resulted in fewer bleeding-related complications and urinary retention.