RESUMEN
Objective To discuss the technique and clinical value of laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) without using Endo-GIA combined with pericardial devascularization for the treatment of cirrhotic portal hypertension. Methods From March 2005 to October 2006, 23 patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension-induced lower esophageal varices were treated with LS combined with pericardial devascularization. In 18 of the cases, the spleen was resected by disconnection of the secondary splenic pedicle without using endo-GIA. During the operation, the splenic vessels were separated and disconnected by using absorbable clip or ligation respectively. And then the lesser omentum was cut using ultrasonic knife, and the pericardial varices devascularization was performed using the absorbable clips or ultrasonic knife. Finally, the spleen was placed into a bag, broken into small pieces, and removed from an enlarged trocar hole. Results The operation was completed successfully in the 18 cases. The mean operation time was 255 min (range,180-320 min). The mean intraoperative blood loss was 450 ml (range, 200-1600 ml). After the operation, 2 patients developed plural effusion, 1 had subphrenic abscess, and 2 had mild ascites. The subphrenic abscess was cure by ultrasonography-guided puncture. The mean hospitalization was 7.5 days (range 6 to 17 days). No mortality occurred. All the patients were followed up for an averge of 16.4 months (range 5 to 24 months). No patient died after the operation. The mean hospital stay was 7.5 days (6-17 days). The cases were followed up for 5-24 months (mean, 16.4 months). One patient developed rebleeding 20 months after the operation, and was cured by injecting sclerosing agent under a gastroscope. The other 17 cases had no hemorrhage after the operation.Conclusions It is a low-cost and superior method to disconnect the secondary splenic pedicle without using endo-GIA in LS combined with pericardial devascularization for the treatment of cirrhotic portal hypertension.