Jackson Prescott: Failed Liver-Intestine Transplant and Portacaval Shunt
Jackson's urgently awaited liver-intestine transplant fails when the graft clots and dies, leaving only a temporary portacaval shunt while the team searches for new organs.
In Plain English
Jackson gets the organs everyone has been waiting for, but the new organs fail before they can save him.
What Happened in the Episode
Sadie notices the duodenal spot, Bailey realizes the graft has failed, and Arizona suggests the temporary shunt because there is no definitive rescue without new organs.
Clinical Concept
Failed combined liver-intestine transplant with temporary portacaval shunting
What ER Teams Would Evaluate
Real transplant teams would evaluate graft perfusion, vascular thrombosis, lab changes, bowel viability, immunologic matching, infection risk, and urgent relisting options.
Treatment and Management Overview
Episode-supported treatment includes attempted transplant, removal of dead organs, and temporary portacaval shunt.
What TV Gets Right
The episode captures how quickly a transplant operation can pivot from celebration to crisis when graft viability fails.
What TV Compresses
The episode compresses crossmatch, donor evaluation, immunosuppression, ICU care, and procurement logistics.
Sources and Further Reading
- iDRief catalog page
- Grey's Anatomy Universe Wiki - Sympathy for the Devil
- Sympathy for the Devil transcript
- Grey's Anatomy Universe Wiki - Sympathy for the DevilEPISODE
Supports: Supports Jackson's cirrhosis, short gut syndrome, transplant attempt, graft clot/death, removal, and portacaval shunt.
- Sympathy for the Devil transcriptEPISODE
Supports: Supports scene context for Jackson's transplant crisis.
- NIDDK - Treatment of Short Bowel SyndromeTIER 2
Supports: Supports short bowel syndrome, intestinal failure, transplant, and liver disease context.
- NIDDK - Liver TransplantTIER 2
Supports: Supports liver transplant context.
- NASPGHAN/AGA - Short Bowel Syndrome and Intestinal TransplantationTIER 4
Supports: Supports intestinal transplant context in short bowel syndrome.