Concomitant Laparoscopic Perisplenic Artery Ligation Facilitates Surgery for Hepatobiliary Disease Coexisting with Portal Hypertension

Abstract Background: Although liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension (PH) contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in abdominal surgery, many authors still consider this disease as an indication for surgery. In many reports, however, numerous treatment modalities focus on hypersplenism secondary to PH, irrespective of splenomegaly and PH. The proven benefits of laparoscopy seem especially applicable to patients with this complex disease. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic perisplenic artery ligation (SAL) in patients with hepatobiliary disease and PH. Methods: From July 2004 to May 2012, the medical records of all patients with hepatobiliary disease in the context of PH at the authors' institutes, including patient demography, operative outcomes, and change of liver function, were retrospectively reviewed. Results: A total of 101 patients were included in the series: 85 patients with cirrhotic Child A, B class, who underwent no intervention (Control group n = 22), s...