Necrosis of the tail of pancreas following proximal splenic artery embolization

Perioperative proximal splenic artery embolization in cirrhotic patients with splenomegaly

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of proximal splenic artery embolization (SAE) in cirrhotic patients with splenomegaly who underwent surgical laparotomy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This retrospective observational study included 8 cirrhotic patients with splenomegaly. They underwent proximal SAE before- (n = 6) or after (n = 2) laparotomy. Vascular plugs or coils were placed in the proximal splenic artery. The diameter of the portal vein and the splenic volume were recorded. Clinical outcome assessments included platelet counts, the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, and complications.

RESULTS

After embolization, the portal venous diameter was significantly smaller (pre: 13.6 ± 2.7 mm, post: 12.5 ± 2.3 mm, p = 0.023), the splenic volume was significantly decreased (pre: 463.2 ± 145.7 ml, post: 373.3 ± 108.5 ml, p = 0.008) and the platelet count was significantly higher (pre: 69.6 ± 30.8 × 103/μl, post: 86.8 ± 27.7 × 103/μl, p = 0.035). Before embolization, the median MELD score was 12; after embolization, it was 11 (p = 0.026). No patient developed post-treatment complications after embolization.

CONCLUSIONS

The reduction of hypersplenism by perioperative proximal SAE may be safe and reduce the surgical risk in cirrhotic patients with splenomegaly.

Splenic trauma: endovascular treatment approach

The spleen is a commonly injured organ in blunt abdominal trauma. Splenic preservation, however, is important for immune function and prevention of overwhelming infection from encapsulated organisms. Splenic artery embolization (SAE) for high-grade splenic injury has, therefore, increasingly become an important component of non-operative management (NOM). SAE decreases the blood pressure to the spleen to allow healing, but preserves splenic perfusion via robust collateral pathways. SAE can be performed proximally in the main splenic artery, more distally in specific injured branches, or a combination of both proximal and distal embolization. No definitive evidence from available data supports benefits of one strategy over the other. Particles, coils and vascular plugs are the major embolic agents used. Incorporation of SAE in the management of blunt splenic trauma has significantly improved success rates of NOM and spleen salvage. Failure rates generally increase with higher injury severity grades; however, current management results in overall spleen salvage rates of over 85%. Complication rates are low, and primarily consist of rebleeding, parenchymal infarction or abscess. Splenic immune function is felt to be preserved after embolization with no guidelines for prophylactic vaccination against encapsulated bacteria; however, a complete understanding of post-embolization immune changes remains an area in need of further investigation. This review describes the history of SAE from its inception to its current role and indications in the management of splenic trauma. The endovascular approach, technical details, and outcomes are described with relevant examples. SAE is has become an important part of a multidisciplinary strategy for management of complex trauma patients.

The Arterial Supply of the Distal Part of the Pancreas

The pancreatic surgery field has evolved greatly over the previous years. Nevertheless, the vascularization of the pancreas remains a difficult subject and requires further attention. The study was conducted using macroscopical dissection and corrosion cast methods. The total number of organ blocks was 72 (50 for dissection and 22 for corrosion cast). Based on the data obtained by dissection, we can distinguish three major types of vascularization of the distal pancreas. In type one, the pancreas was vascularized only by the short branches of the splenic artery and was encountered in 18 cases (36%). In type two, the pancreas was vascularized by the long and short branches of the splenic artery and was encountered in 20 cases (40%). In type three, the pancreas was vascularized only by the long branches of the splenic artery in 12 cases (24%). Compared to that, the corrosion cast method demonstrated type 1 in 8 cases (36.36%), type 2 in 10 cases (45.46%), and type 3 in 4 cases (18.18%). During the dissection, there were no arteries to the tail of the pancreas in 13 (26%) cases, one artery in 15 (30%) cases, two arteries in 19 (38%), and three arteries in three (6%) cases. The 22 corrosion cast specimens were also evaluated based on the classification of Roman Ramos and coworkers. Type I (small arcades) was in 9 (40.90%) cases, type II (small and large arcades) was in 7 (31.82%) cases, type III (large arcades) was in 5 (22.73%) cases, and type IV (straight branches) was in 1 (4.55%) case. The corrosion cast method allowed us to determine no arteries to the tail in 4 (18.18%) cases, one artery in 6 (27.27%) cases, two arteries in 10 (45.46%) cases and three arteries in two (9.09%) cases. The vascularization of the distal part of the pancreas is highly variable and should be taken into consideration during surgery.