Technical challenges in TIPS creation via the right subclavian vein.

This report describes a 64-year-old man with Laennec cirrhosis requiring a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) to alleviate ascites before surgical mesh repair of a large symptomatic umbilical hernia. During the procedure, both internal jugular veins and the right external jugular vein were found to be occluded. The right subclavian vein was accessed and a TIPS was successfully created. Some of the technical challenges encountered in performing the procedure from the right subclavian vein are described.