Splenectomy for recurrent hypersplenism after splenic arterial embolization

Abstract

Objective To study the Results of splenectomy for recurrent hypersplenism after splenic arterial embolization. Methods A retrospective analysis was carried on 12 p1atients who underwent splenectomy for recurrent hypersplenism after splenic arterial embolization which had been carried out in 51 patients at this hospital from Jan. 2001 to Dec. 2008. Results Splenectomy was successfully carried out in all the 12 patients. The operative time ranged from 90 to 240 minutes. The mean blood transfusion was 810 ml. There was 1 case of pancreatic leakage after the operation, which healed with drainage for 4 weeks. One patient developed upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage 14 months after the operation, and he received a meso-caval shunt. Conclusion We should select patients carefully for splenic arterial embolization as splenectomy after splenic arterial embolization is difficult. Key words: Splenic arterial emholization; Hypersplenism; Splenectomy