Published online Aug 28, 2017. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i32.6003
Peer-review started: March 28, 2017
First decision: April 10, 2017
Revised: July 2, 2017
Accepted: July 22, 2017
Article in press: July 24, 2017
Published online: August 28, 2017
Processing time: 153 Days and 10.9 Hours
Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a rare but serious postoperative complication associated with irreversible electroporation (IRE). We report a case of postoperative PVT in a 54-year-old woman who underwent IRE for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Drain removal and discharge of the patient from the hospital were scheduled on postoperative day (POD) 7; however, a magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed the presence of PVT. We suspected postoperative inflammation in the pancreas as the main cause of PVT. However, the patient did not undergo any medical treatment because she did not have any clinical symptoms, and she was discharged on POD 8.
Core tip: Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a medical technique that utilizes high voltage pulses to create permanent nanopores in the cell membrane, which in turn induces apoptosis of the targeted cells. Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a rare but serious postoperative complication associated with IRE. This review focuses on the mechanism of PVT after IRE for locally advanced pancreatic cancer.