ABSTRACT
AIM: To elucidate the effectiveness of combination therapy of splenectomy and long-term interferon (IFN) on survival and hepatocarcinogenesis, we retrospectively analyzed 180 patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis and thrombocytopenia. METHODS: Group A consisted of 121 patients who received neither splenectomy nor IFN therapy. Group B consisted of 11 patients who underwent splenectomy only. Group C consisted of 32 patients who underwent IFN therapy only. Group D consisted of 16 patients who received the combination therapy splenectomy followed by IFN therapy. RESULTS: The viral response in group D estimated at least 6 months after IFN therapy showed sustained viral response in four patients, biochemical response in one and no response in six. Multivariate analysis using time-dependent variables showed significant improvement of survival rate in patients on the combination therapy,but no effect on the appearance rate of hepatocarcinogenesis relative to the findings in group A. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the splenectomy did not directly improve the prognosis, but increased the ability for patients to undergo IFN. As a result, we considered that the combination therapy of splenectomy and long-term IFN significantly improved survival rate in patients with advanced HCV-related cirrhosis and thrombocytopenia.
