Laparoscopic splenectomy plus preoperative endoscopic variceal ligation versus splenectomy with pericardial devascularization (Hassab's operation) for control of severe varices due to portal hypertension

Our research was conducted to introduce a new, compound surgical method for laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) with preoperative endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) and compare the new method's efficiency with that of Hassab's operation in patients with severe esophageal varices due to portal hypertension. Between March 2009 and March 2012, 47 patients with liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and severe esophageal varices were retrospectively analyzed. Of these patients, 19 received the combined preoperative EVL and LS (minimally invasive surgery, MIS group), and 28 patients received splenectomy with pericardial devascularization (Hassab's operation, H group). Before surgery, there were no differences in the patient characteristics of the two groups. There were no significant differences in operating time, but significantly less intraoperative blood loss and shorter postoperative hospital stay were found in the MIS group compared with the H group. The mean follow-up periods of the MIS and H groups were 12.1 and 13.6 months, respectively. No deaths were documented during the follow-up period. Generally, hematological parameters and liver function variables eventually revealed considerable improvement in both groups. In the MIS group, the patients with varices improved significantly from severe to mild, and in some cases, the varices disappeared after treatment. Three patients in the H group suffered rebleeding and were treated with repeated EVL. No bleeding or rebleeding occurred in the MIS group. The final results suggest that LS with preoperative EVL provides a restorative efficacy equivalent to that of Hassab's operation. Based on the recurrence rate and the rebleeding rate of severe esophageal varices, our surgical strategy (EVL and LS) is a safe and minimally invasive technique that appears satisfactory in comparison to other open procedures.