Prognosis of endotherapy versus splenectomy and devascularization for variceal bleeding in patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to compare the long-term outcome of endotherapy versus a combination of splenectomy and devascularization for variceal bleeding in patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis (HBRC). MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 1074 patients with HBRC and acute variceal bleeding (AVB) treated with endotherapy and 248 patients with HBRC treated with a combination of splenectomy and devascularization surgery were included in the analysis. After one-to-one propensity score matching, 151 paired patients were selected. The primary end-point was death. The secondary outcomes were 3-year survival, 5-year survival, and rebleeding. Complications were recorded. RESULTS The median follow-up time was 1165 days in the endoscopic group and 1709 days in the surgical group. Before matching, the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were significantly lower in the endoscopic group than in the surgical group (91.1 vs 96.3%, P = 0.017; 79.6 vs 91.6%, P = 0.001; 65.2 vs 81.3%, P = 0.001). After matching, no significant differences were found between groups (94.5 vs 95.2%, P = 0.767; 87.0 vs 88.9%, P = 0.635; 77.9 vs 77.9%, P = 0.905). The rebleeding rate was lower in the surgical group than in the endoscopic group; the rebleeding-free survival rate was similar in the two groups. No patient died of complications. No statistically significant difference was observed in complications between groups. CONCLUSIONS Both endotherapy and a combination of splenectomy and devascularization are good choices for patients with AVB. The rebleeding rate was lower after the surgical procedure, but the long-term prognosis was similar.