Published online Aug 27, 2023. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v15.i8.1641
Peer-review started: March 20, 2023
First decision: May 15, 2023
Revised: June 4, 2023
Accepted: June 26, 2023
Article in press: June 26, 2023
Published online: August 27, 2023
Processing time: 156 Days and 3.5 Hours
The primary goals of the portal hypertension management program are prevention of first esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB), control of acute EGVB, and prevention of variceal rebleeding (VRB). Splenectomy combined with pericardial devascularization (SPD) and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) are suggested in China as salvage therapies for patients with acute EGVB who have failed endoscopic treatment or as secondary prophylaxis of VRB. However, it is unclear whether SPD or TIPS is more effective and safe in the treatment of acute EGVB and as secondary prevention of VRB.
Both SPD and TIPS are effective treatments for EGVB, but the effectiveness and safety of both methods are currently controversial.
To compare the prognosis after SPD vs TIPS for acute EGVB after failure of endoscopic therapy or secondary prophylaxis of VRB in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis combined with portal hypertension.
This was a retrospective study. We used propensity score matching analysis (PSM), Kaplan-Meier method, and multivariate Cox regression analysis to compare the effectiveness and safety of the two treatment modalities for comparative analysis.
We found that SPD was significantly associated with better overall survival (OS) (P = 0.01), lower rates of liver function abnormalities (P < 0.001), and a lower incidence of HCC (P = 0.02) than TIPS. There was no significant difference in VRB rates between the two groups (P = 0.09).
Compared with TIPS, SPD is associated with higher postoperative OS rates, lower rates of abnormal liver function and HCC, and better quality of survival as acute EGVB treatment after failed endoscopic therapy or as secondary prophylaxis of VRB in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis combined with portal hypertension. There is no significant between-group difference in VRB rates.
This study may provide a clinical basis for the treatment of patients with portal hypertension combined with EGVB.