Perioperative proximal splenic artery embolization in cirrhotic patients with splenomegaly

IntroductionThe 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 methodsThis 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.ResultsAfter 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 x 103/mu l, post: 86.8 +/- 27.7 x 103/mu l, 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.ConclusionsThe reduction of hypersplenism by perioperative proximal SAE may be safe and reduce the surgical risk in cirrhotic patients with splenomegaly.