Effects of alprostadil in the prevention of portal vein thrombosis after splenectomy and devascularization: a historical control study

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes of alprostadil in prevention of portal vein thrombosis after splenectomy and devascularization.Methods 113 patients with PHT who were treated with prophylactic alprostadil after splenectomy and devascularization procedures from May 2009 to Apr 2013 were included into the treatment group.112 conservative patients with PHT who were treated with traditional prophylactic anticoagulants after the same operations before May 2009 were included as the control group.The postoperative complication rates,mortality,postoperative drainage volume from the abdominal cavity,blood platelet counts,prothrombin time,liver function,Child-Pugh's scores and portal vein thrombosis rates between the two groups were compared.Results When compared with the control group,the postoperative complication rate and mortality in the alprostadil group were not increased,while the postoperative drainage volume from the abdominal cavity was significantly reduced.The increase in blood platelet counts and prothrombin time were similar in the 2 groups.Furthermore,the extent of hepatic dysfunction on the 3rd and 7th after operation was significantly decreased.On short term follow-up,color droppler ultrasonography showed the portal vein thrombosis rate of the treatment group was significantly lower than the control group,with less extensive degree of thrombosis in the treatment group.Conclusion Alprostadil is a safe and effective anticoagulant which provided better prevention of portal vein thrombosis after splenectomy combined with devascularization. Key words: Alprostadil ; Splenectomy; Devascularization; Portal vein hypertension ; Thromb