ObjectiveTo investigate the significance of the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in portal vein thrombosis after operation in patients with portal hypertension.MethodsThe serum of 146 patients with portal hypertension treated in Dongfeng Hospital Affiliated to Hubei Medicial College from January 2014 to December 2018 and the surgically removed splenic vein and spleen specimens were collected. The serum VEGF level was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the expressions of VEGF in splenic vein and spleen tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. According to whether portal vein thrombosis was formed after operation, the patients were divided into thrombosis group and non-thrombosis group, and the differences between the groups were compared.ResultsThe serum VEGF level in the thrombosis group was significantly higher than that in the non-thrombosis group (P<0.05). In splenic vein wall and spleen tissues, VEGF staining indexes in the thrombosis group were significantly higher than those in the non-thrombosis group (P<0.05).ConclusionsPostoperative portal vein thrombosis in patients with portal hypertension may be related to the serum VEGF level. The high expressions of VEGF in splenic vein wall and spleen suggest that VEGF may participate in the formation process of portal vein thrombosis.
Objective The purpose of this study is to compare the differences of opened collateral circulation status between hepatic portal hypertension (HPH) and pancreatogenic portal hypertension (PPH), to guide the clinical treatment. Methods From Nov. 2015 to Oct. 2017, data of 119 cases of computed tomography portography (CTP) from the Department of Radiology of Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital and Department of Radiology of West China Hospital of Sichuan University were retrospective analyzed, and the patients were divided into 2 groups, namely the HPH group (77 patients) and PPH group (42 patients) according to different causes. The diameter of portal vein system (including trunk of portal vein, left gastric vein, splenic vein, superior mesenteric vein, and gastroepiploic vein) and the incidences of varicose veins (lower esophageal vein, gastric fundal vein, gastric body vein, Retzius vein varix, umbilical vein open, and splenorenal shunt), as well as the degree of varicose of lower esophageal vein, gastric fundal, and gastric body vein were compared. Results The diameter of portal vein in the HPH group was larger than that of the PPH group, but the diameter of gastroepiploic vein was smaller than that of the PPH group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in left gastric vein, splenic vein, and superior mesenteric vein between the 2 groups (P>0.05). Significant differences were found in varicose veins incidence of gastric and lower esophageal vein (P<0.05), the varicose veins incidence of gastric was lower and varicose veins incidence of lower esophageal vein was higher in the HPH group. Statistically significant differences were also found in the incidence of umbilical vein open, Retzius varicose veins and splenorenal shunt between the 2 groups (P<0.05), and the incidences were all higher in the HPH group. Conclusions There are differences in collateral circulation status between the HPH and PPH. Gastric fundal and lower esophageal vein varices are easy to appear simultaneously in HPH, while gastric fundal and body vien varices are mostly only occurred in PPH. Compared with HPH, the degree of gastric fundal and lower esophageal vein varices is more mild in PPH.
Objective To explore predictive value of radiological indexes for hemorrhage in patients with portal hypertension. Methods The clinical data and radiological data of patients with portal hypertension accompanied with hepatitis B from June 2008 to June 2014 in the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, portal vein thrombosis, or portal hypertension due to other causes, such as autoimmune hepatitis, pancreatitis, or hematological diseases were excluded. Results Ninety-eight patients were studied and subsequently divided into a hemorrhage group (n=57) and a non-hemorrhage group (n=41). There were no statistical differences in the clinical indexes such as the age, prothrombin time, serum albumin, serum creatinine, serum sodium, white blood cell count, and blood platelet count (P>0.05). However, the differences were statistically significant in the serum total bilirubin, hemoglobin, and liver function with theP values of 0.023, 0.000, and 0.039, respectively. For the radiological indexes, the hemorrhage was correlated with the diameter of posterior gastric vein (P=0.028 3) or grading of esophageal varices (P=0.022 1). Logistic procedure was used to construct the model with stepwise selection and finally the diameter of inferior mesenteric vein, diameter of posterior gastric vein, grading of esophageal varices, and diameter of short gastric vein were enrolled into this model. These indexes were scored, the risk of bleeding increased with increasing the points. Then the model was validated with 26 patients with portal hypertension from July 2014 to December 2014, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.884 9 by this radiological model. Conclusions A radiological scoring model is constructed including diameter of inferior mesenteric vein, grading of esophageal varices, diameter of posterior gastric vein, and diameter of short gastric vein, which might predict risk of hemorrhage in patients with portal hypertension. However, further protective study of large sample is needed to validate this model.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the value of individualized preoperative simulation in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).MethodsThin slice scan data of 39 patients with supine upper abdomen were obtained, three dimensional structures of bone, liver, portal vein, inferior vena cava and hepatic vein in CT scan area were reconstructed in Mimics software. According to the size of interventional instruments, a virtual RUPS-100 puncture kit and an VIATORR stent were established in 3D MAX software. Computer simulations were performed to evaluate the route from the hepatic vein puncture portal vein and stent release position. The coincidence of simulation parameters with actual surgical results was compared.Results① The time of preoperative simulation was controllable. The total simulation time was 70–110 minutes (after summing up the previous experience). Preoperative simulation in daily work would not affect the progress of treatment. ② There were 4 cases of puncturing bifurcation of portal vein, 22 cases of puncturing left branch and 13 cases of puncturing right branch during operation (24 cases of puncturing left branch and 15 cases of puncturing right branch by preoperative simulation plan). The overall coincidence rate was 89.7% (35/39). ③ Preoperative simulations were performed using 8 mm×6 cm/2 cm size VIATORR stents, and the stents used in the actual operation were the same as the simulation results. ④ Preoperative simulation and post-operative retrospective simulation could shortened the teaching and training time and enhanced the understanding of surgical intention and key steps.ConclusionPreoperative simulation based on patient's individualized three-dimensional model and virtual interventional device could guided the actual operation of TIPS more accurately, and had practical value for improving the success rate of operation and training young doctors.
ObjectiveTo analyze the platelet (PLT) count, coagulation function, and portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in the patients underwent splenectomy due to different etiologies. MethodsThe patients who underwent splenectomy in the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from January 2013 to December 2022 were collected. According to the etiology, the patients were assigned into the occupying group (splenic and pancreatic occupying lesions), hypersplenism group (portal hypertension and hypersplenism), and splenic rupture group (traumatic splenic rupture). The changes of PLT, white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), neutrophils (Neut), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (Fib), D-dimer (DD), and PVT were observed after splenectomy. ResultsA total of 166 patients were collected, including 42 in the occupying group, 22 in the hypersplenism group, and 102 in the splenic rupture group. There were no statistically significant differences in the age and preoperative Child-Pugh score among the patients of the three groups (P>0.05). There were 12 (7.2%) patients with PVT, including 2 in the occupying group, 6 in the hypersplenismn group, and 4 in the splenic rupture group. The PVT incidence among the three groups had a statistical significant difference (Fisher exact test, P=0.003), which in the hypersplenismn group was higher than the occupying group (P=0.016) and the splenic rupture group (P=0.002), while there was no statistically significant difference between the occupying group and the splenic rupture group (P=1.000). The overall trend was that the PLT, RBC, WBC, and various coagulation function indicators such as PT, APTT, and Fib among the three groups all showed an upward trend immediately after splenectomy, but the postoperative peak time and change trends had no markedly regular among the three groups. The PLT of the patients with and without PVT changed over time during the observation period (patients without PVT: F=60.238, P<0.001; patients with PVT group: F=9.700, P=0.043), and which showed a continuous upward trend after surgery, reaching a peak on the 14th day and then beginning to decline in the patients of both 2 groups. However, there was no statistically significant intergroup effect between the 2 groups (F=0.056, P=0.816). ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that the peak value of PLT in the hypersplenism group is lower as compared with the occupying group and the splenic rupture group, and the PVT is more likely to occur. However, no difference of the PLT level is found in the patients without and with PVT.
ObjectiveTo summarize the related researches of pancreatic portal hypertension (PPH) in recent years in order to diagnose and treat the disease more timely and effectively. MethodThe literatures relevant to etiology, mechanism, clinical features, diagnostic criteria, and treatment of PPH were searched and reviewed. ResultsThe occurrence of PPH was related to its anatomical structure. Its clinical manifestations were not characteristic, but it was not difficult to diagnose by the assistance of auxiliary examinations. The treatment of PPH was mainly targeted at pancreatic diseases and portal hypertension, and the treatment targeted at portal hypertension was performed according to the situation with or without gastrointestinal bleeding. So, in clinical practice, different treatment measures should be taken according to different situations. ConclusionAt present, the clinical diagnosis and treatment of PPH is relatively mature, but its preventive treatment is still controversial, which will be the focus of future research.
Objective To explore treatment strategy of pancreatic pseudocyst induced left-sided portal hypertension (LSPH) complicated with hypersplenism. Methods The clinical data of 49 cases of pancreatic pseudocyst induced LSPH complicated with hypersplenism from January 2010 to June 2015 in this hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 36 patients who were not complicated with upper gastrointestinal bleeding were designed to splenectomy group and non-splenectomy group based on splenectomy or not. The epidemiological and clinical features, intraoperative and postoperative results of these two groups were compared. Results There were 38 males and 11 females with age ranging from 22 to 67 years old. As for 13 patients suffering LSPH complicated with hypersplenism caused by pancreatic pseudocyst with upper gastrointestinal bleeding, one patient didn’t accept splenectomy, then the upper gastrointestinal bleeding recurred and the hypersplenism was not alleviated after operation; Whereas, the hypersplenisms were relieved in the others patients after operation. In the 36 patients without upper gastrointestinal bleeding who were complicated with hypersplenism, 23 patients were performed splenectomy (splenectomy group) and 13 patients were not (non-splenectomy group). In the splenectomy group, the blood loss, operation time, and intraoperative blood transfusion were significantly more than those of the non-splenectomy group (P<0.05). The hospital stay and the discharged laboratory examinations had no significant differences between the splenectomy group and the non-splenectomy group (P>0.05) except for the platelet count. Furthermore, the incidence of the postoperative upper gastrointestinal bleeding was lower (P<0.05) and the relief rate of hypersplenism was higher (P<0.05) in the splenectomy group as compared with the non-splenectomy group. Conclusions For pancreatic pseudocyst induced LSPH with hypersplenism, we should be vigilant and early intervent. Usually, primary focus can be treated only. However, splenectomy can effectively relieve hypersplenism and prevent recurrent bleeding for patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding or patients with close adhesion of pancreas tail and spleen inflammatory lesions and constricting splenic hilus.
Objective To evaluate the effect of triplex operations (splenopneumopexy, portal azygous devascularization and ligation of splenic artery) for children with extrahepatic portal hypertension. Methods From March 1993 to November 1998, 7 children with extrahepatic portal hypertension underwent triplexoperations. The diagnosis for these patients were confirmed by gastroscopy, barium meal and Doppler ultrasonography. The number of WBCand platelet and the hepatic function were checked before and after operations.And the free portal pressures were checked before and after ligations of the splenic artery. All patients were followed up for 2 to 8 years (5.6 years on average). The episodes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding were recorded. The degrees of varices of distal esophagus and proximal stomach were assessed by barium mealand gastroscopy. The diameters of the splenic and portal veins were obtained byBultrasound. The portopulmonary shunt and portal blood flow were evaluated by color Doppler flow image. The indices of hemorheology such as hematocrit, viscosity of whole blood and plasma, and the index of deformability and aggregability of RBC were obtained through viscometer (R-20 Seerle, Beijing). Results There was no operative fatal case in this group. Postoperatively, hemorrhage from the esophagus and gastric varices was completely controlled. Although the diameter of spleen reduced progressively, no patient’s spleen recovered to normal size during the follow up period. The degree of varices was mitigated and the free portal pressure was significantly decreased to （34.48±5.71） cm H2 O from the preoperative one （42.62±6.72） cm H2 O (P＜0.05). The rate of portal flow was alsodecreased. The direction of portal vein was bidirection (one part was away from the liver and the other was toward the liver). The number of WBC and platelet and the viscosity of whole blood and hematocrit were increased to normal value after operation. Conclusion The triplex operation is an effective procedure for the control of hemorrhage from varices in children with extrahepatic portal hypertension.
Surgerical treatment has been used for portal hypertension over a hundred years, and has evolved from various portosystemic shunts to devascularizations and selective shunts. Selective shunting, which has the advantages of long-term prevention from recurrent variceal bleeding and maintenance of hepatic portal vein perfusion, has developed from single distal splenorenal shunt to various procedures including distal splenocaval shunt, coronary caval shunt, coronary renal shunt, etc. Selective shunting can also be achieved after reconstruction of spontaneous portosystemic shunt. Preoperative portal venous system CT angiography, intraoperative ultrasound Doppler and portal vein pressure measurements may provide patients with a more reasonable treatment of choice.
Objective To explore the clinical presentation and diagnosis and treatment of prehepatic portal hypertension （PPH） and discuss its surgical strategies. Methods Forty-six cases of PPH treated in the 2nd Artillery General Hospital and Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2000 to May 2009 were analyzed retrospectively, including 2 cases of Abernethy abnormality. All patients were evaluated by indirect portal vein angiography, CT angiography and (or) portal duplex system Doppler ultrasonography before treament. Surgical strategies included: 23 cases with meso-caval shunt, 8 cases with splenectomy and spleno-renal vein shunt, 1 case with porta-caval shunt, 2 cases with paraumbilical vein-jugular vein shunt, 3 cases with portal azygous disconnection, 1 cases with splenectomy and portal azygous disconnection, 1 case with sigmoidostomy and closed the fistula of sigmoid six months later, 1 case with resection of part of small intestine due to acute extensive thrombosis of portal vein system, 4 cases with selective superior mesenteric artery and (or) splenic artery thrombolytic infusion therapy, 2 cases remained no-surgical option and underwent conservative treatment. Results Forty-four patients were followed-up from 2 months to 5 years， average of 23.4 months, one patient without surgical treatment was lost. Satisfactory outcomes were obtained in 34 patients with various shunts, which expressed as a release of hypersplenism and gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Two cases were treated with meso-caval shunt because of rehemorrhage in month 13 and 24 and one died in month 8 after disconnection, one died on day 40 after thrombolytic therapy due to putrescence of intestines, one who remained no-surgical option underwent hemorrhage 4 months later, and then went well by conservative treatment. Conclusion The key of treatment of PPH is to reduce the pressure of hepatic portal vein. Surgical managements of shunt and selective superior mesenteric artery and (or) splenic artery thrombolytic infusion therapy are safe and effective, but individual treatment strategy should be performed.