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 explore the methods and effect of venous retransfusion of ascites on the treatment of the complicated patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome.Methods Eighteen complicated and (or) recrudescent patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome were treated by venous retransfusion of ascites between March 2006 and July 2009. The changes in abdominal girth, body weight, the urine volume of 24 h, liver function, renal function, and serum electrolyte measurements before and after treatment were compared. Results After retransfusion of 5 000 ml to 7 800 ml (mean 6 940 ml) ascites, the abdominal girth of patients decreased (Plt;0.05), the urine volume of 24 h tended to normal and during which no serious side-effect happened. The levels of serum BUN, CREA, prothrombin time (PT), and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) decreased significantly (Plt;0.05), furthermore the levels of total albumen and albumin increased significantly (Plt;0.05). The changes of serum electrolyte measurements were not significant (Pgt;0.05). The follow-up period for all the patients was in the range of 4 to 37 months (mean 19 months). Then 12 patients were treated by the second operation at 3-6 months after discharge. Conclusions The ascites retransfusion provides a safe and effective treatment option for patients with refractory ascites, and yields a higher likelihood of discharge compared with conventional paracentesis. It is useful in improving quality of life and winning the operational chance for such as patients with complicated Budd-Chiari syndrome.