[Is hypersplenism a contraindication of distal splenorenal shunt?]

The effect of the distal spleno-renal shunt on hypersplenism has been investigated on 19 out of 20 patients undergoing this procedure at the 2nd Department of Surgery Pizzamiglio, Niguarda Hospital of Milan. 6 patients had an hypersplenism of high degree (platelet count less than 50;000/mm3), 11 of moderate degree (platelet count greater than or equal to 50,000 and less than 100,000/mm3) and 2 of low degree (platelet count greater than 100,000 and less than 100,000/mm3). Platelet count significantly improved after the operation (p less than 0.01) and hypersplenism resulted cured or ameliorated in 17 out of 19 patients under study. After briefly discussing the pathogenesis of hypersplenism in patients bearing portal hypertension, the A. conclude that hypersplenism also severe is not "per se" a contraindication to Warren shunt.