A clinical and pathological study of surgical therapy for the patients with portal hypertension complicating cirrhosis of liver / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To assess the efficacy of extensive esophagogastric devascularization with splenectomy for surgical treatment of portal hypertension complicating cirrhosis of liver, and to explore the pathogenesis of chronic congestive splenomegaly. Methods A retrospective analysis of clinical data of 232 patients of portal hypertension complicating cirrhosis of liver having undergone extensive esophagogastric devascularization with splenectomy was made. Pathological alterations and extracellular matrix productive cells of the congestive splenomegaly were studied both immunohistochemically and histologically. Results The functional markers including the numbers of PLT, WBC, and PTA in the peripheral blood and serum Alb were significantly improved after the operation compared with that of before the operation. Careful pre-operation preparation, replenishment of blood loss during the operation, postoperative drainage of the splenic bed, and prevention of complications were efficiently carried out. The mean volume of CCS spleens was 1 423.67?738.69cm 3. There was an obvious increase in the numbers of vimentin-, ?-SMA-positive cells in the CCS tissues, as well as CD68-positive macrophages. Conclusions The results indicated that extensive esophagogastric devascularization with splenectomy was a reasonably effective alternative therapy for patients with portal hypertension complicated by esophageal varices and congestive splenomegaly. Adequate replacement of blood lost in prevention of operation and postoperative complications were essential for satisfactory recovery of the petient. The activation of macrophagic system, with proliferation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, might participate in the pathogenesis of congestive splenomegaly.