ObjectiveTo investigate the significance of the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in portal vein thrombosis after operation in patients with portal hypertension.MethodsThe serum of 146 patients with portal hypertension treated in Dongfeng Hospital Affiliated to Hubei Medicial College from January 2014 to December 2018 and the surgically removed splenic vein and spleen specimens were collected. The serum VEGF level was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the expressions of VEGF in splenic vein and spleen tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. According to whether portal vein thrombosis was formed after operation, the patients were divided into thrombosis group and non-thrombosis group, and the differences between the groups were compared.ResultsThe serum VEGF level in the thrombosis group was significantly higher than that in the non-thrombosis group (P<0.05). In splenic vein wall and spleen tissues, VEGF staining indexes in the thrombosis group were significantly higher than those in the non-thrombosis group (P<0.05).ConclusionsPostoperative portal vein thrombosis in patients with portal hypertension may be related to the serum VEGF level. The high expressions of VEGF in splenic vein wall and spleen suggest that VEGF may participate in the formation process of portal vein thrombosis.
Objective To observe the recovery of recipients with complex portal vein thrombosis (CPVT) underwent “multiple to one” anastomosis and patency of portal vein blood flow during liver transplantation, and to ensure the reliability of this method. MethodsThe clinicopathologic data of the recipients with CPVT underwent “multiple to one” anastomosis in the Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University were collected retrospectively. The “multiple to one” portal vein reconstruction was defined as the anastomosis of multiple vessels of portal venous system with the portal vein of graft, or the anastomosis that connected the blood vessel of portal venous system and the left renal vein/inferior vena cava to the portal vein of graft. ResultsA total of 5 patients were collected, including 1 patient with Yerdel grade 3 thrombosis and 4 patients with Yerdel grade 4 thrombosis. In 3 cases, the left renal vein, inferior vena cava, left renal vein were combined with the parabiliary vein, respectively, in the anastomosis to the donor portal vein. In another 2 cases, portal vein and left renal vein were combined with gastric coronary vein, respectively, in the anastomosis to the donor portal vein. During the follow-up period of 162–865 d, all patients had the stable portal vein blood flow without any symptom of portal hypertension. One patient had thrombosis at the anastomosis with varicose vein, while the anastomosis with left renal vein was unobstructed, which did not affect the donor liver function. ConclusionMultiple blood supply of portal vein is established after “multiple to one” anastomosis, and stability of portal vein blood flow can be maintained after a blood redistribution of portal venous system following liver transplantation.
In the treatment of portal hypertension, association of both hassab operation and splenorenal shunt was performed selectively on six cases by authors from 1987 to 1994, and better results were obtatined in five patients. In this article, the experience and operative Techniques are introduced in detail, and he advantages of this procedure are evaluated.
Objective To explore the risk factors of postoperative portal vein system thrombus (PVST) after laparoscopic splenectomy in treatment of portal hypertension and hypersplenism. Methods Clinical data of 76 patients with portal hypertension and hypersplenism who underwent laparoscopic splenectomy in the Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital from January 2012 to January 2017 were analyzed. Results There were 31 patients suffered from PVST (PVST group), and other 45 patients enrolled in non-PVST group.There were significant differences on age, diameter of splenic vein, diameter of portal vein, blood flow velocity of portal vein, level of D-dimer, and platelet count between the PVST group and the non-PVST group (P<0.05), but there were no significant difference on gender, Child-Pugh classification, etiology of cirrhosis, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, and prothrombin time between the two groups (P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, patients with age >50 years (RR=1.31, P=0.02), splenic vein diameter >12 mm ( RR=1.29, P<0.01), portal vein diameter >13 mm (RR=1.55, P=0.01), blood flow velocity of portal vein <18 cm/s ( RR=1.47, P<0.01), increases level of D-dimer (RR=2.89, P=0.03), and elevated platelet count (RR=1.82 P=0.02) had higher risk of postoperative PVST than those patients with age ≤50 years, splenic vein diameter ≤12 mm, portal vein diameter ≤13 mm, blood flow velocity of portal vein ≥18 cm/s, normal level of D-dimer and platelet count. Conclusion For patients with portal hypertension and hypersplenism who underwent laparoscopic splenectomy, we should pay more attention to the risk factor, such as D-dimer and so on, to avoid the occurrence of postoperative PVST.
Objective To explore predictive value of radiological indexes for hemorrhage in patients with portal hypertension. Methods The clinical data and radiological data of patients with portal hypertension accompanied with hepatitis B from June 2008 to June 2014 in the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, portal vein thrombosis, or portal hypertension due to other causes, such as autoimmune hepatitis, pancreatitis, or hematological diseases were excluded. Results Ninety-eight patients were studied and subsequently divided into a hemorrhage group (n=57) and a non-hemorrhage group (n=41). There were no statistical differences in the clinical indexes such as the age, prothrombin time, serum albumin, serum creatinine, serum sodium, white blood cell count, and blood platelet count (P>0.05). However, the differences were statistically significant in the serum total bilirubin, hemoglobin, and liver function with theP values of 0.023, 0.000, and 0.039, respectively. For the radiological indexes, the hemorrhage was correlated with the diameter of posterior gastric vein (P=0.028 3) or grading of esophageal varices (P=0.022 1). Logistic procedure was used to construct the model with stepwise selection and finally the diameter of inferior mesenteric vein, diameter of posterior gastric vein, grading of esophageal varices, and diameter of short gastric vein were enrolled into this model. These indexes were scored, the risk of bleeding increased with increasing the points. Then the model was validated with 26 patients with portal hypertension from July 2014 to December 2014, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.884 9 by this radiological model. Conclusions A radiological scoring model is constructed including diameter of inferior mesenteric vein, grading of esophageal varices, diameter of posterior gastric vein, and diameter of short gastric vein, which might predict risk of hemorrhage in patients with portal hypertension. However, further protective study of large sample is needed to validate this model.
Portal hypertension caused by viral post hepatic liver cirrhosis has brought a heavy burden to medical treatment in China. In addition to liver transplantation, the treatments include drugs, endoscopy, intervention and surgery, but the effect is not satisfactory. At present, the consensus and guideline for portal hypertension often focuse on a single treatment, and there is an urgent need for reasonable, standardized and individualized treatment to minimize the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and improve the long-term survival of patients, which should also be the ultimate goal of multi-disciplinary treatment (MDT) mode of portal hypertension. The MDT diagnosis and treatment method of portal hypertension needs to be obtained in combination with the general situation of patients (including liver function level, upper gastrointestinal bleeding risk, hypersplenism, etc.) and local medical advantages. For patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, the treatment with less trauma and good hemostatic effect should be selected as far as possible. Patients with previous bleeding history or bleeding cessation should improve the relevant evaluation as soon as possible and submit it to MDT for discussion and selection of the next appropriate treatment. Drugs and endoscopy can be used for high-risk groups of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Whether surgical preventive treatment can benefit patients or not needs further large sample research support. Minimally invasive surgery is the development direction of surgical treatment. Combination of internal and external treatment may give full play to their respective advantages, reducing the risk of bleeding and improving long-term survival.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the value of individualized preoperative simulation in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).MethodsThin slice scan data of 39 patients with supine upper abdomen were obtained, three dimensional structures of bone, liver, portal vein, inferior vena cava and hepatic vein in CT scan area were reconstructed in Mimics software. According to the size of interventional instruments, a virtual RUPS-100 puncture kit and an VIATORR stent were established in 3D MAX software. Computer simulations were performed to evaluate the route from the hepatic vein puncture portal vein and stent release position. The coincidence of simulation parameters with actual surgical results was compared.Results① The time of preoperative simulation was controllable. The total simulation time was 70–110 minutes (after summing up the previous experience). Preoperative simulation in daily work would not affect the progress of treatment. ② There were 4 cases of puncturing bifurcation of portal vein, 22 cases of puncturing left branch and 13 cases of puncturing right branch during operation (24 cases of puncturing left branch and 15 cases of puncturing right branch by preoperative simulation plan). The overall coincidence rate was 89.7% (35/39). ③ Preoperative simulations were performed using 8 mm×6 cm/2 cm size VIATORR stents, and the stents used in the actual operation were the same as the simulation results. ④ Preoperative simulation and post-operative retrospective simulation could shortened the teaching and training time and enhanced the understanding of surgical intention and key steps.ConclusionPreoperative simulation based on patient's individualized three-dimensional model and virtual interventional device could guided the actual operation of TIPS more accurately, and had practical value for improving the success rate of operation and training young doctors.
Objective To explore the clinical presentation and diagnosis and treatment of prehepatic portal hypertension （PPH） and discuss its surgical strategies. Methods Forty-six cases of PPH treated in the 2nd Artillery General Hospital and Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2000 to May 2009 were analyzed retrospectively, including 2 cases of Abernethy abnormality. All patients were evaluated by indirect portal vein angiography, CT angiography and (or) portal duplex system Doppler ultrasonography before treament. Surgical strategies included: 23 cases with meso-caval shunt, 8 cases with splenectomy and spleno-renal vein shunt, 1 case with porta-caval shunt, 2 cases with paraumbilical vein-jugular vein shunt, 3 cases with portal azygous disconnection, 1 cases with splenectomy and portal azygous disconnection, 1 case with sigmoidostomy and closed the fistula of sigmoid six months later, 1 case with resection of part of small intestine due to acute extensive thrombosis of portal vein system, 4 cases with selective superior mesenteric artery and (or) splenic artery thrombolytic infusion therapy, 2 cases remained no-surgical option and underwent conservative treatment. Results Forty-four patients were followed-up from 2 months to 5 years， average of 23.4 months, one patient without surgical treatment was lost. Satisfactory outcomes were obtained in 34 patients with various shunts, which expressed as a release of hypersplenism and gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Two cases were treated with meso-caval shunt because of rehemorrhage in month 13 and 24 and one died in month 8 after disconnection, one died on day 40 after thrombolytic therapy due to putrescence of intestines, one who remained no-surgical option underwent hemorrhage 4 months later, and then went well by conservative treatment. Conclusion The key of treatment of PPH is to reduce the pressure of hepatic portal vein. Surgical managements of shunt and selective superior mesenteric artery and (or) splenic artery thrombolytic infusion therapy are safe and effective, but individual treatment strategy should be performed.
Objective To evaluate the effect of triplex operations (splenopneumopexy, portal azygous devascularization and ligation of splenic artery) for children with extrahepatic portal hypertension. Methods From March 1993 to November 1998, 7 children with extrahepatic portal hypertension underwent triplexoperations. The diagnosis for these patients were confirmed by gastroscopy, barium meal and Doppler ultrasonography. The number of WBCand platelet and the hepatic function were checked before and after operations.And the free portal pressures were checked before and after ligations of the splenic artery. All patients were followed up for 2 to 8 years (5.6 years on average). The episodes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding were recorded. The degrees of varices of distal esophagus and proximal stomach were assessed by barium mealand gastroscopy. The diameters of the splenic and portal veins were obtained byBultrasound. The portopulmonary shunt and portal blood flow were evaluated by color Doppler flow image. The indices of hemorheology such as hematocrit, viscosity of whole blood and plasma, and the index of deformability and aggregability of RBC were obtained through viscometer (R-20 Seerle, Beijing). Results There was no operative fatal case in this group. Postoperatively, hemorrhage from the esophagus and gastric varices was completely controlled. Although the diameter of spleen reduced progressively, no patient’s spleen recovered to normal size during the follow up period. The degree of varices was mitigated and the free portal pressure was significantly decreased to （34.48±5.71） cm H2 O from the preoperative one （42.62±6.72） cm H2 O (P＜0.05). The rate of portal flow was alsodecreased. The direction of portal vein was bidirection (one part was away from the liver and the other was toward the liver). The number of WBC and platelet and the viscosity of whole blood and hematocrit were increased to normal value after operation. Conclusion The triplex operation is an effective procedure for the control of hemorrhage from varices in children with extrahepatic portal hypertension.
ObjectiveTo analyze and compare the clinical and pathological characteristics of patients with porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) and liver cirrhosis (LC), so as to provide a reference for reducing misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. MethodsThe patients who underwent liver biopsy in the Department of Infectious Diseases in the First Hospital of Lanzhou University from January 2008 to December 2022 were retrospectively collected. The clinical, biochemical, imaging, and liver biopsy pathological data of the patients with PSVD and LC were compared. ResultsA total of 45 patients with PSVD and 48 patients with LC were included. The males to females ratio in the patients with PSVD and LC was 25∶20 and 21∶27, respectively, and the average age of the patients with PSVD was younger than that of the patients with LC (P<0.001). The patients with PSVD had overall better liver function, although the proportion of the patients with the Child-Pugh class B in the two groups was all higher, the proportion of patients with the Child-Pugh class B and the end stage liver disease model score ≥10 points in the patients with PSVD was lower (nearly three times) than those in the patients with LC (P<0.05). The initial diagnosis rate of the patients with PSVD was lower than that of the patients with the LC (6.7% vs. 95.8%, χ2=74.0786, P<0.001). The imaging findings of the patients with PSVD as compared with LC showed that the proportion of the portal hypertension was higher (33.3% vs. 39.6%) in both, but the flow velocity of the portal vein was faster (P=0.039), and the extrahepatic bile duct diameter was smaller (P=0.001). The main specific manifestations of liver biopsy histopathology in the patients with PSVD were the portal occlusion [19 (42.2%)], nodular regenerative hyperplasia [1 (2.2%)], and incomplete septal cirrhosis or fibrosis [14 (31.1%)], as well as the non-specific manifestation was the fine bile duct reaction [8 (17.8%)]. And the proportion of the patients with the liver tissue inflammatory activity grading (G) and liver fibrosis staging (S) ＞G2S2 in the patients with PSVD was lower as compared with the patients with LC [12 (26.7%) vs. 48 (100%), χ2=54.560, P<0.001]. ConclusionThe diagnosis of PSVD and LC should “seek common ground while reserving differences”, and it is necessary that a routine examination in combination with imaging manifestation and liver pathology, and should focus on a liver vascular abnormality so as to reduce a rate of misdiagnosis.