Robot-assisted partial splenectomy for benign splenic tumors:Four case reports

BACKGROUND Robotic-assisted partial splenectomy(RAPS)is a superior approach for treating splenic cysts and splenic hemangiomas,as it preserves the immune function of the spleen and reduces the risk of overwhelming post splenectomy infection.Curren-tly,there are no standardized guidelines for performing a partial splenectomy.CASE SUMMARY Four patients with splenic cysts or splenic hemangiomas were treated by RAPS.Critical aspects with RAPS include carefully dissecting the splenic pedicle,accurately identifying and ligating the supplying vessels of the targeted segment,and ensuring precise hemostasis during splenic parenchymal transection.Four successful RAPS cases are presented,where the tumors were removed by pret-reating the splenic artery,dissecting and ligating the corresponding segmental vessels of the splenic pedicle,transecting the ischemic segment of the spleen,and using electrocautery for optimal hemostasis.Four patients underwent successful surgeries with minimal bleeding during the procedure,and there were no signs of bleeding or recurrence postoperatively.CONCLUSION Four cases confirm the feasibility and superiority of RAPS for the treatment of benign splenic tumors.

Predictors of portal vein thrombosis after splenectomy in patients with cirrhosis

BACKGROUND Portal vein thrombosis(PVT)is a commonthsn complication after splenectomy in patients with cirrhosis.However,the predictors of postoperative PVT are not known.AIM To investigate the predictors of PVT after splenectomy in patient with cirrhosis.METHODS A total of 45 patients with cirrhosis who underwent splenectomy were consecutively enrolled from January 2017 to December 2018.The incidence of PVT at 1 months,3 months,and 12 months after splenectomy in patients with cirrhosis was observed.The hematological indicators,biochemical and coagulation parameters,and imaging features were recorded at baseline and at each observation point.The univariable,multivariable,receiver operating characteristic curve and timedependent curve analyses were performed.RESULTS The cumulative incidence of PVT was 40.0%,46.6%,and 48.9%at 1 months,3 months,and 12 months after splenectomy.Multivariable analysis showed that portal vein diameter(PVD)≥14.5 mm and monthsdel end-stage liver disease(MELD)score>10 were independent predictors of PVT at 1 months,3 months,and 12 months after splenectomy(P<0.05).Time-dependent curve showed that the cumulative incidence of PVT was significantly different between patients with MELD score≤10 and>10(P<0.05).In addition,the cumulative incidence of PVT in the PVD≥14.5 mm group was significantly higher than that in the PVD<14.5 mm group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Wider PVD and MELD score>10 were independent predictors of PVT at 1 months,3 months,and 12 months after splenectomy in patient with cirrhosis.

Will partial splenic embolization followed by splenectomy increase intraoperative bleeding?

BACKGROUND Partial splenic embolization(PSE)has been suggested as an alternative to splenectomy in the treatment of hypersplenism.However,some patients may experience recurrence of hypersplenism after PSE and require splenectomy.Currently,there is a lack of evidence-based medical support regarding whether preoperative PSE followed by splenectomy can reduce the incidence of complications.AIM To investigate the safety and therapeutic efficacy of preoperative PSE followed by splenectomy in patients with cirrhosis and hypersplenism.METHODS Between January 2010 and December 2021,321 consecutive patients with cirrhosis and hypersplenism underwent splenectomy at our department.Based on whether PSE was performed prior to splenectomy,the patients were divided into two groups:PSE group(n=40)and non-PSE group(n=281).Patient characteristics,postoperative complications,and follow-up data were compared between groups.Propensity score matching(PSM)was conducted,and univariable and multivariable analyses were used to establish a nomogram predictive model for intraoperative bleeding(IB).The receiver operating characteristic curve,Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test,and decision curve analysis(DCA)were employed to evaluate the differentiation,calibration,and clinical performance of the model.RESULTS After PSM,the non-PSE group showed significant reductions in hospital stay,intraoperative blood loss,and operation time(all P=0.00).Multivariate analysis revealed that spleen length,portal vein diameter,splenic vein diameter,and history of PSE were independent predictive factors for IB.A nomogram predictive model of IB was constructed,and DCA demonstrated the clinical utility of this model.Both groups exhibited similar results in terms of overall survival during the follow-up period.CONCLUSION Preoperative PSE followed by splenectomy may increase the incidence of IB and a nomogram-based prediction model can predict the occurrence of IB.

Clinical efficacy of total laparoscopic splenectomy for portal hypertension and its influence on hepatic hemodynamics and liver function

BACKGROUND The liver hemodynamic changes caused by portal hypertension(PH)are closely related to various complications such as gastroesophageal varices and portosystemic shunts,which may lead to adverse clinical outcomes in these patients,so it is of great clinical significance to find treatment strategies with favorable clinical efficacy and low risk of complications.AIM To study the clinical efficacy of total laparoscopic splenectomy(TLS)for PH and its influence on hepatic hemodynamics and liver function.METHODS Among the 199 PH patients selected from October 2016 to October 2020,100 patients[observation group(OG)]were treated with TLS,while the remaining 99[reference group(RG)]were treated with open splenectomy(OS).We observed and compared the clinical efficacy,operation indexes[operative time(OT)and intraoperative bleeding volume],safety(intraperitoneal hemorrhage,ascitic fluid infection,eating disorders,liver insufficiency,and perioperative death),hepatic hemodynamics(diameter,velocity,and flow volume of the portal vein system),and liver function[serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT),serum aspartate aminotransferase(AST),and serum total bilirubin(TBil)]of the two groups.RESULTS The OT was significantly longer and intraoperative bleeding volume was significantly lesser in the OG than in the RG.Additionally,the overall response rate,postoperative complications rate,and liver function indexes(ALT,AST,and TBil)did not differ significantly between the OG and RG.The hepatic hemodynamics statistics showed that the pre-and postoperative blood vessel diameters in the two cohorts did not differ statistically.Although the postoperative blood velocity and flow volume reduced significantly when compared with the preoperative values,there were no significant inter-group differences.CONCLUSION TLS contributes to comparable clinical efficacy,safety,hepatic hemodynamics,and liver function as those of OS in treating PH,with a longer OT but lesser intraoperative blood loss.

Splenic lymphangioma masquerading as splenic abscess managed by laparoscopic splenectomy: A case report

BACKGROUND Primary benign splenic tumours are unique and account for<0.007%of all tumours identified during surgery and autopsy.Splenic lymphangiomas are rarely seen in adults.Splenic lymphangiomas may be asymptomatic,or may present with upper left abdominal pain,splenomegaly,hypersplenism,or splenic rupture with haemorrhagic shock.The clinical and radiological features of these lesions are not specific.This case report serves to remind the clinician to consider the rare but important differential diagnosis of splenic lymphangioma while treating splenic lesions.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of splenic lymphangioma in a 22-year-old woman who presented with left upper quadrant abdominal pain for three months.Initial investigations were unremarkable;however,computed tomography later revealed multiple splenic micro-abscesses.The patient underwent laparoscopic splenectomy,and histopathological examination revealed splenic lymphangioma.The patient was discharged on postoperative day three.One month after surgery,the abdominal pain resolved completely,with no new complaints.Splenic lymphangiomas present clinically as splenomegaly or left upper quadrant abdominal pain;prompt intervention is necessary for avoiding complications.CONCLUSION This case report concludes that splenic lymphangiomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of splenomegaly or left upper quadrant pain,even in adults,because they are amenable to curative treatment.Delays in surgical intervention may lead to severe complications,such as infection,rupture,and hemorrhage.Such lesions can be safely managed with laparoscopy,involving less postoperative pain and early patient discharge with excellent cosmetic outcomes.

Prognosis after splenectomy plus pericardial devascularization vs transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for esophagogastric variceal bleeding

BACKGROUND Portal hypertension combined with esophagogastric variceal bleeding(EGVB)is a serious complication in patients with hepatitis B virus(HBV)-related cirrhosis in China.Splenectomy plus pericardial devascularization(SPD)and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)are effective treatments for EGVB.However,a comparison of the effectiveness and safety of those methods is lacking.AIM To compare the prognosis after SPD vs TIPS for acute EGVB after failure of endoscopic therapy or secondary prophylaxis of variceal rebleeding(VRB)in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis combined with portal hypertension.METHODS This retrospective cohort study included 318 patients with HBV-related cirrhosis and EGVB who underwent SPD or TIPS at West China Hospital of Sichuan University during 2009-2013.Propensity score-matched analysis(PSM),the Kaplan-Meier method,and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to compare overall survival,VRB rate,liver function abnormality rate,and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)incidence between the two patient groups.RESULTS The median age was 45.0 years(n=318;226(71.1%)males).During a median follow-up duration of 43.0 mo,18(11.1%)and 33(21.2%)patients died in the SPD and TIPS groups,respectively.After PSM,SPD was significantly associated with better overall survival(OS)(P=0.01),lower rates of abnormal liver function(P<0.001),and a lower incidence of HCC(P=0.02)than TIPS.The VRB rate did not differ significantly between the two groups(P=0.09).CONCLUSION 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.

Distal pancreatectomy with or without radical approach, vascular resections and splenectomy: Easier does not always mean easy

Because distal pancreatectomy(DP)has no reconstructive steps and less frequent vascular involvement,it is thought to be the easier counterpart of pancreaticoduodenectomy.This procedure has a high surgical risk and the overall incidences of perioperative morbidity(mainly pancreatic fistula),and mortality are still high,in addition to the challenges that accompany delayed access to adjuvant therapies(if any)and prolonged impairment of daily activities.Moreover,surgery to remove malignancy of the body or tail of the pancreas is associated with poor long-term oncological outcomes.From this perspective,new surgical approaches,and aggressive techniques,such as radical antegrade modular pancreato-splenectomy and DP with celiac axis resection,could lead to improved survival in those affected by more locally advanced tumors.Conversely,minimally invasive approaches such as laparoscopic and robotic surgeries and the avoidance of routine concomitant splenectomy have been developed to reduce the burden of surgical stress.The purpose of ongoing surgical research has been to achieve significant reductions in perioperative complications,length of hospital stays and the time between surgery and the beginning of adjuvant chemotherapy.Because a dedicated multidisciplinary team is crucial to pancreatic surgery,hospital and surgeon volumes have been confirmed to be associated with better outcomes in patients affected by benign,borderline,and malignant diseases of the pancreas.The purpose of this review is to examine the state of the art in distal pancreatectomies,with a special focus on minimally invasive approaches and oncological-directed techniques.The widespread reproducibility,cost-effectiveness and long-term results of each oncological procedure are also taken into deep consideration.

Autologous bone marrow infusion via portal vein combined with splenectomy for decompensated liver cirrhosis: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND In a previous study,autologous bone marrow infusion(ABMI)was performed in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis(DLC)and acquired immunodefi-ciency syndrome and achieved good results,but whether splenectomy affected outcome was unclear.AIM To investigate the efficacy of ABMI combined with splenectomy for treatment of DLC.METHODS Eighty-three patients with DLC were divided into an intervention group(43 cases)and control group(40 cases)according to whether splenectomy was performed.The control group was treated with ABMI through the right omental RESULTS After ABMI,the prothrombin time,serum total bilirubin levels,ascites volume and model for end-stage liver disease score in both groups were significantly lower,while the albumin levels were significantly higher than before ABMI(P<0.01),but there were no significant differences between the groups(P>0.05).After ABMI,the white blood cell and platelets counts in both groups were significantly higher than before ABMI(P<0.01),and the counts in the intervention group were significantly higher than in the control group(P<0.01).After ABMI the CD4+and CD8+T cell counts in both groups were significantly higher than before ABMI(P<0.01).The CD8+T cell counts in the intervention group increased continuously and the increase had a shorter duration compared with control group.CONCLUSION ABMI through the portal vein in patients with DLC can significantly improve liver synthetic and secretory functions,and splenectomy promotes improvement of bone marrow hematopoietic and cellular immune functions.

Postoperative outcomes after open splenectomy versus laparoscopic splenectomy in cirrhotic patients:a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND： Laparoscopic splenectomy is considered the gold standard for resecting normal-to-moderately bigger spleens in benign conditions, and in addition could be tried for patients with malignant splenic disorders. However, the safety of laparoscopic splenectomy in patients with hyper- splenism is not well-known. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic splenectomy for pa- tients with hypersplenism secondary to liver cirrhosis by com- paring with the open splenectomy.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt versus open splenectomy and esophagogastric devascularization for portal hypertension with recurrent variceal bleeding

BACKGROUND： Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt（TIPS） and open splenectomy and esophagogastric devascularization（OSED） are widely used to treat patients with portal hypertension and recurrent variceal bleeding（PHRVB）. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness between TIPS and OSED for the treatment of PHRVB.METHODS： The data were retrospectively retrieved from 479 cirrhotic patients（Child-Pugh A or B class） with PHRVB, who had undergone TIPS（TIPS group） or OSED（OSED group） between January 1, 2010 and October 31, 2014.RESULTS： A total of 196 patients received TIPS, whereas 283 underwent OSED. Within one month after TIPS and OSED, the rebleeding rates were 6.1% and 3.2%, respectively（P=0.122）. Significantly lower incidence of pleural effusion,splenic vein thrombosis, and pulmonary infection, as well as higher hepatic encephalopathy rate, shorter postoperative length of hospital stay, and higher hospital costs were observed in the TIPS group than those in the OSED group. During the follow-up periods（29 months）, significantly higher incidences of rebleeding（15.3% vs 4.6%, P=0.001） and hepatic encephalopathy（17.3% vs 3.9%, P=0.001） were observed in the TIPS group than in the OSED group. The incidence of instent stenosis was 18.9%. The survival rates were 91.3% in the TIPS group and 95.1% in the OSED group. The long-term liver function did not worsen after either TIPS or OSED.CONCLUSION： For the patients with liver function in the Child-Pugh A or B class, TIPS is not superior over OSED in terms of PHRVB treatment and rebleeding prevention.

Emergency laparoscopic partial splenectomy for ruptured spleen:A case report

Splenic rupture is a common consequence of blunt abdominal trauma. Emergency splenectomy is indicated when conservative management is not effective. With better understanding of the immunologic function of the spleen, surgeons have begun to perform the splenic-preserving surgery. However, it is technical challenge to perform emergency laparoscopic partial splenectomy for patient with spleen rupture. A 15-year-old male patient suffered from grade. spleen injury basing on the American association for the surgery of trauma splenic injury scale. Conservative treatment failed to success basing on the dramatically decreased hemoglobin level. During the laparoscopic exploration, we found that two individual ruptures were associated with the upper pole of spleen. An emergency laparoscopic partial splenectomy was successfully carried out. The operative time was approximate 150 min and the estimated blood loss was 200 mL. The post-operative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the 7th post-operative day. (C) 2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.

Esophagogastric devascularization without splenectomy in portal hypertension: safe and effective?

BACKGROUND： Esophagogastric variceal hemorrhage is a life-threatening complication of portal hypertension. In this study, we compared the therapeutic effect of a novel surgi- cal procedure, esophagogastric devascularization without splenectomy （EDWS）, with the widely used modified esopha- gogastric devascularization （MED） with splenectomy for the treatment of portal hypertension.

Laparoscopic versus Traditional Open Splenectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Hypersplenism

This study aimed to examine the efficacy of the laparoscopic vs. traditional open splenectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma（HCC） with hypersplenism. Between 2002 and 2013, 51 Chinese HCC patients with hypersplenism underwent either simultaneous laparoscopic splenectomy plus anticancer therapies（Lap-S＆A）（n=25） or traditional open splenectomy plus anti-cancer therapies（TOS＆A）（n=26）. The outcomes were reviewed during and after the operation. Anti-cancer therapies for HCC included laparoscopic hepatectomy（LH） and laparoscopic microwave ablation（LMA）. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the operating time between the two groups, but the blood loss and blood transfusion were less, pain intensity after surgery was weaker, the time to first bowel movement, time to the first flatus and postoperative hospital stay were shorter, and the postoperative complication rate and the readmission rate were lower in the Lap-S＆A group than in the TO-S＆A group. Two patients in the Lap-S＆A group and one patient in the TO-S＆A group died 30 days after surgery. However, no significant difference in the mortality rate was noted between the two groups. It was concluded that simultaneous Lap-S＆A holds the advantages of more extensive indications, lower complication incidence and less operative expenditure than conventional open approach and it is a feasible and safe approach for HCC with hypersplenism.

Laparoscopic Partial Splenectomy for Giant Hemangioma Misdiagnosed as Splenic Cyst:a Case Report

ALTHOUGH unusual, hemangioma is the most common type of primary splenic neoplasm.1 Usually, splenic hemangioma appears as solid mass, but sometimes it presents cystic corn-ponent as well, which is difficult to discriminate from some other lesions, such as abscess, simple cyst, parasitic cyst, and lymphangioma.2 Preoperative diagnosis of splenic hemangioma mainly depends on imaging study （e.g. ultrasonography, CT, MRI）.

Transumbilical single-incision endoscopic splenectomy:Report of ten cases

AIM: To investigate the feasibility and clinical application of transumbilical single-incision endoscopic splenectomy using conventional laparoscopic instruments.

Simultaneous partial splenectomy during liver transplantation for advanced cirrhosis patients combined with severe splenomegaly and hypersplenism

BACKGROUND The most effective treatment for advanced cirrhosis and portal hypertension is liver transplantation(LT).However,splenomegaly and hypersplenism can persist even after LT in patients with massive splenomegaly.AIM To examine the feasibility of performing partial splenectomy during LT in patients with advanced cirrhosis combined with severe splenomegaly and hypersplenism.METHODS Between October 2015 and February 2019,762 orthotopic LTs were performed for patients with end-stage liver diseases in Tianjin First Center Hospital.Eighty-four cases had advanced cirrhosis combined with severe splenomegaly and hypersplenism.Among these patients,41 received partial splenectomy during LT(PSLT group),and 43 received only LT(LT group).Patient characteristics,intraoperative parameters,and postoperative outcomes were retrospectively analyzed and compared between the two groups.RESULTS The incidence of postoperative hypersplenism(2/41,4.8%)and recurrent ascites(1/41,2.4%)in the PSLT group was significantly lower than that in the LT group(22/43,51.2%;8/43,18.6%,respectively).Seventeen patients(17/43,39.5%)in the LT group required two-stage splenic embolization,and further splenectomy was required in 6 of them.The operation time and intraoperative blood loss in the PSLT group(8.6±1.3 h;640.8±347.3 mL)were relatively increased compared with the LT group(6.8±0.9 h;349.4±116.1 mL).The incidence of postoperative bleeding,pulmonary infection,thrombosis and splenic arterial steal syndrome in the PSLT group was not different to that in the LT group,respectively.CONCLUSION Simultaneous PSLT is an effective treatment and should be performed in patients with advanced cirrhosis combined with severe splenomegaly and hypersplenism to prevent postoperative persistent hypersplenism.

Successful laparoscopic splenectomy after living-donor liver transplantation for thrombocytopenia caused by antiviral therapy

Although interferon (IFN) based therapy for recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after liver transplantation has been widely accepted, it induces various adverse effects such as thrombocytopenia, resulting in its interruption. Recently, concomitant splenectomy at the time of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has been tried to overcome this problem, but this procedure leads to several complications such as excessive intraoperative bleeding and serious infection. A 60-year-old female received LDLT using a left lobe graft from her second son for liver failure caused by hepatitis C-related cirrhosis. Six months after LDLT, she was diagnosed as recurrent HCV infection by liver biopsy. IFN monotherapy was started from 7 mo after LDLT and her platelet count decreased to less than 50 000/μL, which thus made it necessary to discontinue the treatment. We decided to attempt laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) under general anesthesia. Since intra-abdominal findings did not show any adhesion formations around the spleen, LS could be successfully performed. After LS, since her platelet count immediately increased to 225 000/μL 14 d after operation, IFN therapy was restarted and we could convert the combination therapy of IFN and ribavirin, resulting in no detectable viral marker. Inconclusion, LS can be performed safely even after LDLT, and LS after LDLT is a feasible and less invasive modality for thrombocytopenia caused by antiviral therapy.

Indocyanine green retention is a potential prognostic indicator after splenectomy and pericardial devascularization for cirrhotic patients

BACKGROUND：Splenectomy and pericardial devascularization（SPD）is an effective treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and hypersplenism in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension.Indocyanine green retention at 15 minutes（ICGR15）was reported to offer better sensitivity and specificity than the Child-Pugh classification in hepatectomy,but few reports describe ICGR15 in SPD.The present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of ICGR15 for cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension who underwent SPD.METHODS：From January 2012 to January 2015,43 patients with portal hypertension and hypersplenism caused by liver cirrhosis were admitted in our center and received SPD.The ICGR15,Child-Pugh classification,model for end-stage liver disease（MELD）score,and perioperative characteristics were analyzed retrospectively.RESULTS：Preoperative liver function assessment revealed that 34 patients were Child-Pugh class A with ICGR15 of13.6%-43.0%and MELD score of 7-20;8 patients were class B with ICGR15 of 22.8%-40.7%and MELD score of 7-17;1patient was class C with ICGR15 of 39.7%and MELD score of 22.The optimal ICGR15 threshold for liver function compensation was 31.2%,which offered a sensitivity of 68.4%and a specificity of 70.8%.Univariate analysis showed preoperative ICGR15,MELD score,surgical procedure,intraoperative blood loss,and autologous blood transfusion were significantly different between postoperative liver function compensated and decompensated groups.Multivariate regression analysis revealed that ICGR15 was an independent risk factor of postoperative liver function recovery（P=0.020）.CONCLUSIONS：ICGR15 has outperformed the Child-Pugh classification for assessing liver function in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension.ICGR15 may be a suitable prognostic indicator for cirrhotic patients after SPD.

Reaching proficiency in laparoscopic splenectomy

AIM:To investigate the proficiency level reached in laparoscopic splenectomy using the learning curve method.METHODS:All patients in need of splenectomy for benign causes in whom laparoscopic splenectomy was attempted by a single surgeon during a time period of 6 years were included in the study (n=33). Besides demographics, operation-related variables and the response to surgery were recorded. The patients were allocated to groups of five, ranked according to the date of the operation. Operation duration, complications, postoperative length of stay, conversion to laparotomy and splenic weight were then compared between these groups.RESULTS: There was a significant difference regarding operation times between the groups (P = 0.001). An improvement was observed after the first 5 cases. The learning curve was flat up to the 25th case. Following the 25th case the operation times decreased still further. There was no difference between the groups regarding the other parameters.CONCLUSION: Unlike the widely accepted "L" shape, the learning curve for laparoscopic splenectomy is a horizontal lazy "S" with two distinct slopes. Privileges may be granted after the first 5 cases. However proficiency seems to require 25 cases.

Effects of terlipressin versus splenectomy on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats: What we know so far?

To the editor:We read with great interest the article entitled "Comparative study of the effects of terlipressin versus splenectomy on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats" by Ulmer et al.[1].The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of terlipressin ver-