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Updated: Jun 30, 2026
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Laparoscopic Splenectomy with Pericardial Devascularization for Hypersplenism and Esophageal Variceal Hemorrhage Due to Portal Hypertension
Published on: November 15, 2024
Splenectomy improves liver function in patients with liver cirrhosis
Kazumoto Murata1, Keiichi Ito, Kentaro Yoneda
1Clinical Medicine and Biomedical Science, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie, Japan. atarum@jichi.ac.jp
Hepato-Gastroenterology
|September 18, 2008
Summary
Splenectomy improved liver function and hypersplenism in liver cirrhosis patients. Large spleen and low ALT levels predict better outcomes, making it a potential bridging therapy for liver transplantation.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Surgical Gastroenterology
Background:
- Splenectomy and partial splenic embolization may improve liver function and hypersplenism.
- Liver cirrhosis (LC) patients often suffer from complications related to hypersplenism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of splenectomy on liver function in patients with liver cirrhosis.
Main Methods:
- Twelve liver cirrhosis patients underwent splenectomy and were followed for over 6 months.
- Laboratory tests, ultrasonography, and computed tomography were used for evaluation.
- Portal blood flow was measured using color Doppler ultrasonography before and after surgery in 6 patients.
Main Results:
- All patients showed improvement in hypersplenism.
- Enhanced liver protein synthesis correlated with increased liver volume post-splenectomy.
- Predictive factors for improved liver function included a large spleen and low serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels.
- Splenectomy was safe, with portal thrombus in 4 patients being the main complication, manageable without affecting liver function.
Conclusions:
- Splenectomy effectively improves liver function in liver cirrhosis patients.
- It can serve as a supportive or bridging therapy for liver transplant candidates, particularly those with large spleens and low ALT levels.
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