A prospective randomized trial of selective versus nonselective esophagogastric devascularization for portal hypertension

Selective Esophagogastric Devascularization in the Modified Sugiura Procedure for Patients with Cirrhotic Hemorrhagic Portal Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial

AIM

Portal hypertension is a series of syndrome commonly seen with advanced cirrhosis, which seriously affects patient's quality of life and survival. This study was designed to access the efficacy and safety of selective esophagogastric devascularization in the modified Sugiura procedure for patients with cirrhotic hemorrhagic portal hypertension.

METHODS

Sixty patients with hepatitis B cirrhotic hemorrhagic portal hypertension and meeting the inclusion criteria were selected and randomly divided by using computer into the selective modified Sugiura group (sMSP group, n = 30) and the modified Sugiura group (MSP group, n = 30). The primary endpoint measurement is the postoperative rebleeding rate. Secondary endpoint measurements included free portal venous pressure, liver Child-Pugh score, liver volume, portal vein width and blood flow velocity, survival rate, quality of life, and dysphagia as well as other complications one year postoperatively. This trial is registered with ChiCTR, number ChiCTR2000033468.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference in rebleeding rates within one year after surgery between patients in the sMSP and MSP groups (χ = 0.11, p=0.73). In comparison with the MSP group, the Child-Pugh score of liver function in the sMSP group significantly increased (χ = 6.4, p=0.04) and the incidence of dysphagia was significantly reduced (χ = 6.23, p=0.01) one year after surgery. There was a statistically significant difference in the quality of life between the two groups. However, there were no statistically significant differences in free portal venous pressure (MD = -3.44, 95% CI: -7.87 to 0.98, p=0.12), postoperative liver volume (3 months: MD = -258.81, 95% CI: -723.21 to 205.57, p=0.24; 1 year: MD = -320.12, 95% CI: -438.43 to 102.78, p=0.16), postoperative portal vein width (3 months: MD = -0.06, p=0.50; 1 year: MD = 0.17, p=0.21), portal vein flow velocity (3 months: MD = 1.64, p=0.21; 1 year: MD = -1.19, p=0.57), 1-year survival rate (χ = 1.01, p=0.31), and other complications between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Selective esophagogastric devascularization in the modified Sugiura procedure may not lower the incidence of rebleeding in the short term based on our findings. However, it may significantly improve quality of life of patients with cirrhotic hemorrhagic portal hypertension, improve liver function, and reduce postoperative dysphagia.

Incidence of Splanchnic Vein Thrombosis After Abdominal Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Abdominal surgery may increase the risk of splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT). We determined the incidence of SVT after abdominal surgery and identified groups at highest risk.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MEDLINE and Embase were searched for clinical studies evaluating the incidence of postoperative SVT after abdominopelvic surgery. Study selection, data abstraction, and risk of bias assessment were carried out independently by two reviewers. Clinical heterogeneity was explored by subgroup analyses (i.e., type of intra-abdominal procedure and organ group).

RESULTS

Of 5549 abstracts screened, 48 were analyzed. Pooled incidence of SVT (n = 50,267) was 2.68% [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.24 to 3.11] (1347 events), I² = 96%. Pooled incidence of SVT in high-risk procedures were splenectomy with devascularization (24%), hepatectomy in patients with cirrhosis (9%), and pancreatectomy with venous resection (5%). Pooled incidence of symptomatic and asymptomatic SVT was 1.02% (95% CI: 0.97% to 1.07%) and 0.98% (95% CI 0.88% to 1.07%), respectively. Most common causes of SVT-related mortality were irreversible thrombosis, bowel ischemia, liver failure, and gastrointestinal bleed. Most studies included were at a high risk of bias due to lack of prospective data collection and lack of SVT screening for all participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Incidence of SVT after abdominal surgery is low but remains a relevant complication. Patients undergoing procedures involving surgical manipulation of the venous system and splenectomy are at the highest risk. Given the life-threatening risks associated with SVT, there is a need for larger prospective studies on the incidence and impact of SVT after abdominal surgery.

Laparoscopic selective esophagogastric devascularization and splenectomy for patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension

Introduction

The role of laparoscopic selective esophagogastric devascularization and splenectomy (LSEGDS) in the treatment of esophagogastric variceal bleeding and hypersplenism in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension has not been well studied.

Aim

To investigate the safety and efficacy of LSEGDS for esophagogastric variceal bleeding and hypersplenism in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension.

Material and methods

From May 2011 to December 2014, 74 patients with portal hypertension resulting from liver cirrhosis underwent surgery for gastroesophageal variceal bleeding and hypersplenism. Forty-one of these patients underwent laparoscopic esophagogastric devascularization and splenectomy (LEGDS), and the others underwent LSEGDS. A retrospective comparative analysis of clinical data was conducted between the two groups, including clinical characteristics, laboratory data, operative morbidity and mortality, and outcomes of follow-up.

Results

The operation was completed successfully in all the patients, except that conversion was required in one patient in the LEGDS group. The operating time was similar in both groups (p = 0.579). The intraoperative blood loss was lower in the LSEGDS group (p = 0.011). Postoperative complications showed no significant difference between the two groups regarding mortality rate, pleural effusion, pancreatic injury, pulmonary infection, liver dysfunction, or postoperative abdominal bleeding. Postoperative platelet counts increased significantly more in the LEGDS group than in the LSEGDS group (p = 0.004). There were no significant differences in the long-term follow-up data, such as incidence of rebleeding, portal vein thrombosis, hepatic encephalopathy and survival (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The LSEGDS is a safe and effective procedure for management of cirrhotic portal hypertension, especially in patients with visible paraesophageal veins.

The therapeutic effect of splenectomy plus selective pericardial devascularization versus conventional pericardial devascularization on portal hypertension in China: a meta-analysis

Background

To systematically review perioperative outcomes and postoperative complications between splenectomy plus s-EGDV and n-sEGDV for portal hypertension complicated with thoracic esophageal varices and bleeding by a meta-analysis.

Method

We searched the databases of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMBASE, TCGA, Chinese Biomedicine Database from January 2000 to June 2017, and included studies that compared perioperative outcomes and postoperative complications between s-EGDV and n-sEGDV. These included studies were assessed by two independent investigators.

Results

Seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and seven non-randomized observational clinical studies (OCS) were included. The s-EGDV was more beneficial than n-sEGDV in reducing the PVF (OR = 4.26; 95% CI, 2.81–5.71; P < 0.00001; I² = 97% for heterogeneity), portal vein flow (OR = −111.75; 95% CI, −197.13–26.38; P = 0.01; I² = 90% for heterogeneity), portal hypertensive gastropathy(OR = 0.38; 95% CI, 0.28–0.51; P < 0.00001; I² = 0% for heterogeneity), hepatic encephalopathy (OR = 0.40; 95% CI, 0.23–0.71; P = 0.002; I² = 22% for heterogeneity), postoperative re-bleeding (OR = 0.43; 95% CI, 0.29–0.63; P < 0.0001; I² = 9% for heterogeneity), postoperative mortality (OR = 0.52; 95% CI, 0.32–0.85; P = 0.009; I² = 0% for heterogeneity) and in increasing hepatic artery flow (OR = 92.53; 95% CI, 9.60–175.46; P = 0.03; I² = 95% for heterogeneity).

Conclusion

sEGDV offers a more effective surgical approach with fewer complications to treat portal hypertension than n-sEGDV. Upon further detailed analysis of the surgical indications and hemodynamic and postoperative major complications of selective devascularization, sEGDV likely will provide us with a new direction in the choice of surgical approach for portal hypertension.