Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension Research Articles

“CHYLO,” IS IT ME YOU'RE LOOKING FOR? A CASE OF TRANSUDATIVE CHYLOTHORAX

SESSION TITLE: Medical Student/Resident Disorders of the Pleura Posters SESSION TYPE: Med Student/Res Case Rep Postr PRESENTED ON: October 18-21, 2020 INTRODUCTION: Chylothorax is an uncommon type of pleural effusion which is usually exudative in nature. Transudative chylothoraces are an exceedingly rare entity, about 40% of which can be attributed to liver cirrhosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 69-year-old female with hypertension, IDDM, and NASH/liver cirrhosis, presented with 5 days of shortness of breath and increasing abdominal girth. Examination revealed an obese, ill-appearing female, with stable vital signs, tachypnea requiring 4 L nasal cannula, diminished breath sounds over RM and RL lobes with dullness to percussion, ascitic abdomen without tenderness, without jaundice or other stigmata of liver disease. Laboratory panel was significant for lactic acidosis of 5 mmol/L and hypoalbuminemia. Imaging revealed a large right-sided pleural effusion and moderate ascites. She received aggressive IV fluids, empiric antibiotics, and underwent diagnostic thoracentesis consistent with a transudative effusion. Pleural fluid revealed a “milky” substance; triglyceride level was therefore checked with a value over 200 mg/dL. Her gram stain and culture were negative. Cytology was unremarkable. Patient had no history of trauma or surgeries. CT imaging had no evidence of lymphadenopathy or chronic lung changes. Echocardiogram ruled out CHF and pericarditis. A rheumatic panel was negative. There was no eosinophilia to suggest a parasitic infection. Quantiferon was negative. Paracentesis could not be performed due to small volume of ascites. Chest tube was placed for symptom relief. Given drainage of over 1 L output per day, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), chyle leak diet, and octreotide were started. Chest tube was removed after 10 days given decreasing output. Repeat pleural analysis showed a triglyceride level of 17 mg/dL. TPN was stopped and she was transitioned to a regular diet. Her chylothorax was attributed to liver cirrhosis. She was started on diuretics and discharged home with close follow-up. DISCUSSION: Emphasis must be placed on reviewing all aspects of the pleural fluid analysis including color, with chylothorax on the differential. Transudative chylothorax formation likely occurs due to chylous ascites transmigration through the diaphragm, with cirrhotic portal hypertension causing increased pressure in the thoracic duct. Once trauma is eliminated, malignancy, CHF, SVC obstruction, infections, sarcoidosis, and rheumatologic causes should be ruled out. Treatment relies on decreasing thoracic duct volume and inhibiting intestinal chyle absorption via somatostatin analogues, thoracentesis, and diet. Diuretics and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting were further treatment options for our patient given her liver cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS: As transudative chyloraces are rare, clinicians may fail to recognize cirrhosis on the differential and fail to treat the underlying cause. Reference #1: Bhardwaj, Himanshu, et al. “Transudative Chylothorax in a Patient with Liver Cirrhosis: A Rare Association.” Heart & Lung, vol. 44, no. 4, 1 May 2015, pp. 363–365., doi:10.1016/j.hrtlng.2015.03.008. Reference #2: Mukherjee, Arindam, et al. “Transudative Chylothorax: an Uncommon Illness Due to a Common Cause.” BMJ Case Reports, 19 Jan. 2018, doi:10.1136/bcr-2017-223158. Reference #3: Schild, Hans H., et al. “Treatment Options in Patients With Chylothorax.” Deutsches Aerzteblatt Online, vol. 110, no. 48, 2013, pp. 819–826., doi:10.3238/arztebl.2013.0819. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Robert Gallagher, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Loren Inigo-Santiago, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Polina Pinkhasova, source=Web Response

Current situation of screening, prevention and treatment of bleeding esophageal varices in cirrhotic portal hypertension in Tibet region: a multicenter study

Objective: To investigate and analyze the current situation, screening, clinical characteristics, prevention and treatment of bleeding esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension in Tibet region. Methods: Clinical data of cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension through March 2017 to February 2020 from Tibet region were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Results: 511 cases with liver cirrhosis were included in the study, of which 185 cases (36.20%) had compensated cirrhosis and 326 cases (63.80%) had decompensated cirrhosis. Further analysis of the etiological data of liver cirrhosis showed that 306 cases (59.88%) were of chronic hepatitis B, 113 cases (22.11%) of alcoholic liver disease, and 68 cases (13.31%) of chronic hepatitis B combined with alcoholic liver disease. Among patients with compensated liver cirrhosis, 48 cases (25.95%) underwent endoscopic examination of which 33 diagnosed as high-risk variceal bleeding. However, none of these 33 cases had received non-selective β-blocker therapy, and only four patients had received endoscopic variceal banding therapy. Among patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis, 83 cases (25.46%) had a history of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, 297 cases (91.10%) had ascites, 23 cases (7.05%) had hepatic encephalopathy, and 3 cases (0.92%) had hepatorenal syndrome. Among the patients with a history of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, 42 cases (50.60%) had received secondary preventive treatment for bleeding esophageal varices, including 39 cases of endoscopic treatment, 1 case of endoscopic combined drug treatment, 3 cases of interventional treatment, and 2 cases of surgical treatment. Conclusion: Chronic hepatitis B and alcoholic liver diseases are the main causes of liver cirrhosis in Tibet region. Moreover, this region lacks screening, prevention and treatment for bleeding esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the screening of high-risk groups to prevent and improve the first-time bleeding, and promote multidisciplinary team to prevent and treat re-bleeding.

Phosphodiesterases in the Liver as Potential Therapeutic Targets of Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension.

Liver cirrhosis is a frequent condition with high impact on patients’ life expectancy and health care systems. Cirrhotic portal hypertension (PH) gradually develops with deteriorating liver function and can lead to life-threatening complications. Other than an increase in intrahepatic flow resistance due to morphological remodeling of the organ, a functional dysregulation of the sinusoids, the smallest functional units of liver vasculature, plays a pivotal role. Vascular tone is primarily regulated by the nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO-cGMP) pathway, wherein soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) and phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) are key enzymes. Recent data showed characteristic alterations in the expression of these regulatory enzymes or metabolite levels in liver cirrhosis. Additionally, a disturbed zonation of the components of this pathway along the sinusoids was detected. This review describes current knowledge of the pathophysiology of PH with focus on the enzymes regulating cGMP availability, i.e., sGC and PDE-5. The results have primarily been obtained in animal models of liver cirrhosis. However, clinical and histochemical data suggest that the new biochemical model we propose can be applied to human liver cirrhosis. The role of PDE-5 as potential target for medical therapy of PH is discussed.

Acute Life-Threatening Complications of Portal Hypertension: a Review of Pathophysiology, Incidence, Management, and Cost

Portal hypertension represents a dysfunctional hemodynamic alteration within the portal venous system, usually due to cirrhosis. These altered hemodynamics play a direct role in the development of acute, life-threatening variceal hemorrhage and mark an important pathophysiologic step in the development of other sudden and life-threatening complications such as type 1 hepatorenal syndrome and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Many life-saving interventions in these patients are aimed at reducing portal venous pressure. The contribution of portal hypertension to the development of variceal hemorrhage, type 1 hepatorenal syndrome (known also by the name HRS-AKI), and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients is discussed. This article reviews the pathophysiology and incidence of life-threatening complications of cirrhotic portal hypertension, with a discussion of management options and treatment costs.

Diagnostic value of magnetic resonance elastography in cirrhotic portal hypertension

Diagnostic value of magnetic resonance elastography in cirrhotic portal hypertension

Left-Sided Portal Hypertension: A Case Series

Left-sided portal hypertension is rarely found, but this condition may cause gastrointestinal tract bleeding and can be life-threatening. The exact incidence of left-sided portal hypertension is unknown as it is rarely found, approximately 1-5%, and most cases were misdiagnosed. We reported 3 cases of left-sided portal hypertension in male patient aged 34 years old, female patient aged 29 years old, and female patient aged 35 years old. Most diagnosis was made based on the clinical findings by excluding the diagnosis of cirrhotic portal hypertension. Splenic vein angiography remains the gold standard in diagnosing left sided portal hypertension. Left-sided portal hypertension is difficult to differentiate from cirrhotic portal hypertension because in these both abnormalities, varices can be present. Left-sided portal hypertension can be considered as a diagnosis in patient with upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding due to oesophageal varices, gastric varices, or portal hypertension gastropathy, accompanied with hypersplenism without the presence of hepatic abnormality or cirrhosis.

Research Progress in Chinese Medicine Preparations for Promoting Blood Circulation and Removing Blood Stasis for Cirrhotic Patients with Portal Vein Thrombosis Following Splenectomy.

This article presented an overview of the therapeutic effects of Chinese medicine (CM) preparations for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis for patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after splenectomy. Based on published clinical researches of CM preparations for PVT after splenectomy in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension (CPH), this paper evaluated the incidence of PVT, and explored potential active components and mechanisms of CM preparations. Safflower Yellow Injection, Danshen Injection () Danhong Injection (), and Compound Danshen Dropping Pill () achieved good curative effect alone or combined with anticoagulant therapy. In addition, Compound Biejia Ruangan Tablet () and Anluo Huaxian Pill () can also significantly improve the hemodynamic disorders of portal vein system in patients with cirrhosis. Considering the role of CM preparations in ameliorating the incidence of PVT after splenectomy in patients with CPH, we suggested that future research should provide more attention to CM alone or CM combined with anticoagulant for cirrhosis with PVT.

Successful Simultaneous Anatomic Subtotal Splenectomy During Pediatric Living-Donor Liver Transplantation: A Case Report

Some liver transplant recipients may present with persistent hypersplenism post transplant. Persistent thrombocytopenia and leukopenia may put immunosuppressed transplant recipients at a higher risk of serious, even life-threatening bleeding and infection and limit the use of some drugs (such as mycophenolate mofetil) that could reduce white blood cell and platelet counts during the postoperative period. Herein, we report the first case, to the best of our knowledge, of successful simultaneous anatomic subtotal splenectomy during living donor liver transplantation in a 6-year-old girl with biliary atresia, cirrhotic portal hypertension, severe hypersplenism, and massive splenomegaly. The normalization of platelet and leukocyte counts observed in this patient on the third and first day of the transplant were maintained within the reference ranges during the whole follow-up period, with no significant remnant splenic regrowth and occurrence of serious procedure-related complications. Currently at 48 months of follow-up, the patient has remained in good general condition with normal liver allograft function and peripheral blood cell counts. Our case demonstrates that simultaneous anatomic subtotal splenectomy during liver transplantation may be an effective and feasible treatment for the prevention of persistent hypersplenism post transplant, achieving a long-term desired hematological response, in a selective category of pediatric cirrhotic patients with severe hypersplenism and massive splenomegaly.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt versus endoscopic therapy for prevention of variceal rebleeding in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma meeting the Milan criteria.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and endoscopic therapy (ET) have been recommended to prevent variceal rebleeding due to cirrhotic portal hypertension. However, which one is better for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains controversial. Hence, we aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of these two treatments for these subpopulation. This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board. The data of 98 consecutive patients with HCC meeting the Milan criteria (mean age 54.1 years) who had received TIPS placement (34 patients) or ET (64 patients) between June 2010 and December 2017 were reviewed. The clinical outcomes were evaluated and were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by using the log-rank test. A matched cohort composed of 34 patients from each group was selected after adjustment with propensity score matching to verify the robustness of the results. The median follow-up time was 33.1 months. The rebleeding rate was significantly lower in TIPS group (P = 0.016). A matched cohort composed of 34 patients from each group after adjustment with propensity score matching showed that TIPS reduced the risk of rebleeding (P = 0.030) without increasing long-term overt hepatic encephalopathy (P = 0.151), while there was no significant difference in overall liver transplant-free survival (P = 0.120). Thereafter, 25 patients in TIPS group (73.5%) and 42 patients in ET group (65.6%) received locoregional therapies for HCC (P = 0.431). TIPS reduced the risk of rebleeding without improving survival. Locoregional therapies can be performed safely to manage HCC after sufficient prevention of variceal rebleeding.

Endoscopic treatment of gastroesophageal variceal bleeding after oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND : Oxaliplatin, used as first-choice treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC), induces sinusoidal endothelial injury and portal hypertension. This study investigated the characteristics of oxaliplatin-induced portal hypertension and evaluated the efficacy of endoscopic management of gastroesophageal variceal bleeding. METHODS : We performed a retrospective, multicenter, case-control study between January 2010 and December 2018. Patients who received oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy after CRC surgery and presented with portal hypertension and gastroesophageal varices were compared with consecutive patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhotic portal hypertension receiving endoscopic treatment for variceal bleeding. RESULTS : 39 patients with oxaliplatin-induced portal hypertension were identified, 35 of whom had a history of variceal bleeding. The median period between start of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy and the occurrence of varices was 50.4 months (n = 39). A total of 26 patients with oxaliplatin-related portal hypertension and 230 patients with hepatitis B-related portal hypertension underwent endoscopic treatment. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the 1-year rebleeding rate was significantly higher in the oxaliplatin group than in the hepatitis B group (43.3 % vs. 19.0 %, P = 0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy was an independent factor for 3-year rebleeding (hazard ratio [HR] 2.46, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.24-4.87; P = 0.01) and 3-year overall mortality (HR 9.43, 95 %CI 2.32-38.31; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS : Oxaliplatin-related portal hypertension was characterized by massive ascites, splenomegaly, gastric varices, concomitant arterioportal fistula, and relatively normal liver function. Endoscopic treatment to prevent variceal rebleeding in these patients was unsatisfactory compared with endoscopic treatment for hepatitis B-related portal hypertension.

Long-term Outcome of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt in Children With Portal Hypertension.

A proportion of children with chronic liver disease have severe portal hypertension (PH) and a preserved synthetic and biliary function. In our institution these children have been managed with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS). We aimed to evaluate the long-term patency of TIPS placed in pediatric patients with PH. Retrospective study of children who underwent TIPS in the last 15 years. We compared patients with cirrhotic PH to those with noncirrhotic PH, and all with an historical cohort of children who underwent a surgical portosystemic shunt. Kaplan-Meier analysis measured long-term shunt patency. Twenty-nine patients were recorded (cirrhotic PH = 11, noncirrhotic PH = 18, mean age 10.3 years[±4.3], mean weight 36.7 kg [±20.1], mean pediatric end-stage liver disease score 4.1 [±7.1]); in 5 TIPS was placed after split liver transplantation. Indication for TIPS was variceal bleeding in 18, refractory ascites in 11. Primary patency rates at 6 months and at 1, 2, and 4 years were 91%, 83%, 60%, and 46%, respectively. At last follow-up (mean of 2.8 years [±2.4, range 0.1-8.1 years]) secondary patency (after radiological revision) was 100%. The patency rate of the historical cohort of patients who underwent a surgical portosystemic shunt was 26 of 31 (82%) at a median follow-up of 12.5 years (1.6-25.8). TIPS appears to have a high mid-term patency rate, especially if monitored and revised. Its high clinical success rate, along with a minimally invasive approach, suggests that in this setting TIPS should not be regarded only as a bridge to liver transplantation.

Emborrhoid in patients with portal hypertension and chronic hemorrhoidal bleeding: preliminary results in five cases with a new coiling release fashion "Spaghetti technique".

This manuscript reports on a preliminary experience concerning emborrhoid in patients affected by cirrhotic portal hypertension; furthermore, a novel customized technique of coils release, named "Spaghetti technique," is described. Five patients with chronic anemia due to internal hemorrhoidal bleeding and cirrhotic portal hypertension were treated. Clinics and hemoglobin values were evaluated to objectively assess clinical conditions up to 3months follow-up. Embolizations were performed with fibered coils, oversized, released stretched and not packed. Technical success, intended as occlusion of all superior hemorrhoidal artery branches, was 100%. In two patients, inferior hemorrhoidal arteries were embolized too. No patients reported major or minor complications. At 3-month follow-up, clinical improvement was obtained in four of the five patients; hemoglobin values improved or remained stable in the whole sample. Based on this limited experience, emborrhoid seems to be safe and effective at 3-month follow-up to improve symptoms in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension and chronic anemia due to hemorroidal bleeding; the stretched fashion to release oversized coils provides effective embolization.

The advances in surgery for cirrhotic portal hypertension in China

The cirrhotic portal hypertension is very common worldwide and poses a serious threat to the health of patients.Over past three decades, the surgical treatment for cirrhotic portal hypertension was strongly challenged by the drugs, endoscopy, interventional therapy and liver transplantation.However, under the multidisciplinary team(MDT) cooperative diagnosis and treatment mode, the surgical treatment still plays a unique and irreplaceable role.Laparoscopic pericardial vascular devascularization is characterized by less injury and bleeding, rapid postoperative recovery, which will coexist with open surgery for portal hypertension. It is important to focus on the development and application of new methods, new technologies and new concepts under the MDT cooperative diagnosis and treatment mode, giving full play to the advantages of each discipline and advocate standardized, individualized and precise treatment should be emphasized to maximize patient clinical benefits.

Risk assessment of first upper gastrointestinal bleeding using computerized tomoscanning in esophageal varices patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

To evaluate the risk of first upper gastrointestinal bleeding by computerized tomoscanning (CT) for esophageal varices patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension.One hundred thirty two esophageal varices patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension who are also complicated with gastrointestinal bleeding were recruited as bleeding group, while another 132 patients without bleeding as non-bleeding group. The diameter of esophageal varices, number of vascular sections, and total area of blood vessels were measured by CT scanning. The sensitivity and specificity of these indicators were calculated, and Youden index was adjusted with the critical point.The diameter of esophageal varices was 7.83 ± 2.76 mm in bleeding group, and 6.57 ± 3.42 mm in non-bleeding group. The Youden index was 0.32 with the critical point 5.55 mm. The area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) was 0.72. The number of venous vessels was 4.5 ± 2 in bleeding group, whereas being 4 ± 2 in non-bleeding group. The Youden index was 0.35 with a critical point 4, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.68. The blood vessel area was 1.73 ± 1.15 cm2 in bleeding group, and 1.12 ± 0.89 cm2 in non-bleeding group. The Youden index was 0.48 with the critical point being 1.03 cm2, and corresponding AUC was 0.82.Among all 3 indicators of the total area, diameter, and number of sections of the esophageal varices, the total area of esophageal varices showed more accuracy as a potential and novel indicator for bleeding prediction.

Serum Lipoprotein (a) on Postoperative Day 3: A Strong Predictor of Portal and/or Splenic Vein Thrombosis in Cirrhotic Patients With Splenectomy.

Elevated lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is related to the incidence of lower limb deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Its role in portal and/or splenic vein thrombosis (PSVT) is not established. A total of 77 consecutive patients who underwent splenectomy for cirrhotic portal hypertension were prospectively studied between 2014 and 2017. The impact of Lp(a) on preoperative day 1 and postoperative days (PODs) 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 was analyzed. Color Doppler ultrasound examination was performed for the diagnosis of PSVT. The median interval between surgery and postoperative PSVT was 6 days (range: 2-13 days). The levels of Lp(a) were highly increased in patients with PSVT and significant intergroup differences (vs non-PSVT) were found until day 3 and day 5 after operation, respectively. On POD 3, at a threshold of 309.06 mg/L, Lp(a) was a better predictor of PSVT (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.872) compared to the levels on PODs 1, 5, and 7 (AUC = 0.775, 0.796, and 0.791, respectively). The median Lp(a) values peaked at 382.5 mg/L on POD 5 for patients without PSVT. After POD 5, the Lp(a) decreased with values at 347.4 mg/L on POD 7 and 150.7 mg/L on POD 14. For the first time, Lp(a) was shown to be abnormal in patients with PSVT following splenectomy. Monitoring of serum Lp(a) levels on POD 3 might represent a valuable tool to predict early PSVT after splenectomy in cirrhotic patients.

Low-free triiodothyronine is associated with poor prognosis of portal hypertension in cirrhosis.

The role of thyroid function in the portal hypertension development and prognosis remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between serum-free triiodothyronine (fT3) levels and the outcomes of cirrhotic portal hypertension. A total of 385 cirrhotic patients with confirmed portal hypertension underwent computed tomography angiography and thyroid function test at a tertiary care referral center from January 2009 to December 2017. The patients were assigned to the low-fT3 (n = 98) and normal-fT3 groups (n = 287). Child-Pugh (8.88 ± 0.22 vs. 7.09 ± 0.12, P < 0.001) and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores (14.75 ± 0.57 vs. 10.59 ± 0.23, P < 0.001) significantly increased in the low-fT3 group. The hemoglobin level correlated with fT3 (R = 0.299, P < 0.0001) and fT4 (R = 0.310, P < 0.0001), while only fT3 significantly correlated with the albumin level (R = 0.537, P < 0.001). The Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that the two-year survival rate was 74.51% in the low-fT3 group vs. 94.25% in the normal-fT3 group (P < 0.0001). The Cox regression analysis demonstrated that the serum level of fT3 [hazard ratio: 0.478; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.391-0.758; P = 0.002] and prothrombin time (hazard ratio: 2.247; 95% CI: 1.316-3.838; P = 0.003) were independent prognostic factors in cirrhotic patients. The low fT3 level was associated with poor prognosis and the progression of cirrhotic portal hypertension.

Clinical efficacy of laparoscopic splenectomy combined with pericardial devascularization in the treatment of cirrhotic portal hypertension: a report of 425 cases

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic splenectomy combined with pericardial devascularization in the treatment of cirrhotic patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension. Methods The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 425 patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension who were admitted to Northern Jiangsu People′s Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University were collected. There were 289 males and 136 females, aged (53±11)years, with a range from 21 to 79 years. All the patients were allocated into 3 periods according to the operation time, including 100 patients of early period from February 2012 to March 2014, 156 patients of mature technology period from April 2014 to August 2016, and 169 patients of technology innovation period from september 2016 to December 2018. The patients of early period and mature technology period underwent laparoscopic splenectomy combined with pericardial devascularization, and the patients of technology innovation period underwent vagus nerve-preserving laparoscopic splenectomy combined with pericardial devascularization. Observation indicators: (1) surgical situations; (2) postoperative situations; (3) follow-up. Patients were followed up by outpatient examination to detect the upper digestive rebleeding, gastric retention, and diarrhea up to March 2019. Sequential therapy of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) was slectively performed on patients based on results of gastroscopy. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed using ANOVA, and paired comparison was analyzed using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M (range), and comparison between groups was anlyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test, and paired comparison was analyzed using the rank sum test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test and Fisher exact probability. Results (1) Surgical situations: the operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, cases with intraoperative blood transfusion, cases with conversion to open surgery, and cases with emergency operation for bleeding were (187±46)minutes, 150 mL (range, 50-1 300 mL), 2, 2 , 1 for patients of early period, (164±22)minutes, 50 mL (range, 30-100 mL), 1, 1, 1 for patients of mature technology period, and (150±18)minutes, 50 mL (range, 10-300 mL), 0 , 0 , 0 for patients of technology innovation period, respectively. There were significant differences in the operation time and volume of intraoperative blood loss between the three groups (F=55.482, χ2=94.620, P 0.05). (2) Postoperative situations: 425 patients had oral aspirin enteric-coated tablets for prevention of thrombus, with no perioperative death. Duration of postoperative hospital stay, cases with portal vein thrombosis at postoperative 7 days, cases with pancreatic fistula, cases with pulmonary infection, and cases with abdominal infection were (11.0±2.9)days, 46, 2, 1, 0 for patients of early period, (9.9±1.7)days, 81, 3, 0, 0 for patients of mature technology period, and (8.8±1.3)days, 83, 2, 1, 1 for patients of technology innovation period, respectively. There was a significant difference in the duration of postoperative hospital stay between the three groups (F=39.836, P 0.05) and no significant difference in the cases with pancreatic fistula, cases with pulmonary infection, or cases with abdominal infection between the three groups (P>0.05). Patients with portal vein thrombosis at postoperative 7 days had oral aspirin enteric-coated tablets or warfarin for treatment. Patients with pancreatic fistula, pulmonary infection, and abdominal infection were cured and discharged after conservative treatment. (3) Follow-up: all the 425 patients were followed up for 1-72 months, with a median follow-up of 36 months. Of the 425 patients, 261 underwent postoperative sequential therapy of EVL, including 133 patients of mature technology period and 128 patients of technology innovation period. The incidence rate of upper digestive rebleeding was 3.83%(10/261) of the 261 patients undergoing postoperative sequential therapy of EVL and 17.68%(29/164) of 164 patients without postoperative sequential therapy of EVL, showing a significant difference between them (χ2=23.185, P<0.05). The incidence rates of gastric retention and diarrhea were 96.24%(128/133) and 61.65%(82/133) for 133 patients undergoing sequential therapy of EVL in mature technology period, and 1.56%(2/128) and 3.91%(5/128) for 128 patients undergoing sequential therapy of EVL in technology innovation period, showing significant differences between them (χ2=233.876, 97.883, P<0.05). Conclusions It is safe and feasible of laparoscopic splenectomy combined with pericardial devascularization for patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension, and intraoperative vagus nerve-preserving can reduce volume of intraoperative blood loss and incidence of postoperative complications. Key words: Liver cirrhosis; Portal hypertension; Splenectomy; Pericardial devascularization; Vagus nerve; Laparoscopy

Preliminary application of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in individualized treatment of patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension complicated with refractory ascites and variceal hemorrhage

Objective: To investigate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in the individualized treatment of patients with refractory ascites and variceal hemorrhage caused by portal hypertension. Methods: Prospective study of clinical data of 47 patients with portal hypertension and refractory ascites and variceal bleeding admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from August 2017 to December 2018, 26 males and 21 females, aged 23-75 (52±14) years old. The Viabahn stent was used to control the diameter of the shunt and the preoperative interval of PPG after individualized TIPS was determined according to the preoperative liver function Child-Pugh classification. The PPG of the Child A and B patients was <10 mm Hg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), Child-Pugh C grade patients with postoperative PPG interval values of 12 to 15 mmHg. The success rate, hemostasis rate, ascites remission rate, and complication rate were recorded. Results: Forty-seven patients were with a success rate of 100%, and there was no surgically related fatal complications. The portal pressure gradients of patients with Child-Pugh A, B and Child-Pugh C were reduced from preoperative (22.5±5.4), (24.4±2.6) mm Hg to postoperative (8.8±2.5), (13.2±1.1) mm Hg (all P<0.05). All the patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months, with a median follow-up of 13 months. The success rate of hemostasis in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding was 93.5% (29/31), the remission rate of patients with refractory ascites was 14/16, the postoperative rebleeding rate was 6.5% (2/31), the incidence of hepatic encephalopathy was 8.5% (4/47), and the shunt disorder was 2.1% (1/47). Conclusion: The use of Viabahn stent for individualized TIPS in the treatment of portal hypertension with refractory ascites and variceal hemorrhage is feasible, and the clinical efficacy is affirmative, which can reduce the incidence of postoperative hepatic encephalopathy and shunt dysfunction.

Effects of laparoscopic splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection on liver synthesis function and cirrhosis: a 2-year prospective study.

Laparoscopic splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection (LSD) is widely used for the treatment of esophagogastric variceal haemorrhage and hypersplenism owing to cirrhotic portal hypertension. However, whether LSD improves liver synthesis function and cirrhosis remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of LSD on liver synthesis function and cirrhosis based on a prospective 2-year follow-up study. A total of 118 patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension who underwent LSD were included in this study. We analysed clinical data including routine blood parameters, liver function, liver-synthesised proteins (antithrombin III, protein S, and protein C), liver fibrotic markers (type IV collagen (IV-C), procollagen type III (PC-III), laminin, and hyaluronidase), portal vein diameter, and portal blood flow velocity. Postoperative portal vein diameter and portal blood flow velocity all showed gradual declines during the 2-year follow-up; compared with preoperative values, these were all significantly decreased from postoperative week (POW) 1 (all P < 0.001). Postoperative Child-Pugh scores and total bilirubin, albumin, international normalised ratio, antithrombin III, protein S, protein C, IV-C, PC-III, laminin, and hyaluronidase levels also all showed gradual improvements during the 2-year follow-up; compared with preoperative levels, these were all significantly improved from postoperative month (POM) 6, POW 1, POM 3, POM 3, POM 3, POM 6, POM 18, POW 1, POM 3, POM 24, and POM 18, respectively (all P < 0.05). LSD not only decreases portal hypertension and improves liver function, it also enhances liver synthesis function and reduces liver fibrosis.

Expert consensus on diagnosis and treatment of esophagogastric variceal bleeding in cirrhotic portal hypertension (2019 edition)

Portal hypertension is a clinical syndrome which is a consequence of a pathological increase in portal vein pressure due to various causes, among which, cirrhosis being the most common cause. The most basic pathophysiological features of portal hypertension in cirrhosis are increased portal vein pressure due to blocked portal vein blood flow and open collateral circulation. Among the clinical manifestations of portal hypertension in cirrhosis, esophageal and gastric fundus varicose bleeding is the most urgent and the mortality rate is the highest. In order to standardize the diagnosis and treatment plan of esophagogastric variceal bleeding in cirrhotic portal hypertension, the Chinese Society of Spleen and Portal Hypertension Surgery, Chinese Society of Surgery, have renewed and revised this consensus on diagnosis and treatment of esophagogastric variceal bleeding in cirrhotic portal hypertension (2015 edition) hope to provide references for the clinical practices.