Should the distal splenorenal shunt be combined with gastric disconnection and transection?

Background

This study was aimed at evaluating advantages of distal splenorenal shunt (DSRS) with splenopancreatic and gastric disconnection (DSRS-SPGD) over DSRS with splenopancreatic disconnection (DSRS-SPD) and standard DSRS (S-DSRS).

Methods

DSRS-SPGD, DSRS-SPD, and S-DSRS were performed on 62, 7, and 55 patients, respectively, from 1970 to 1992. Comparison was performed in the following aspects: (1) long-term results in ratio of rebleeding, survival rate, and quality of life and (2) portal hemodynamics evaluated by preoperative and postoperative angiography. Portal blood flow was assessed by the ratio of the diameter of portal vein (PV) to superior mesenteric vein (SMV), and shunt selectivity was evaluated by selectivity grade.

Results

Incidence of rebleeding was significantly lower in patients who underwent DSRS-SPGD than in those who underwent S-DSRS (p< 0.05). Grade 0 and I performance status was better in patients who underwent DSRS-SPGD. Accumulated survival ratio for 5 and 7 years was 78.3% and 70.5% in patients who underwent DSRS-SPGD, 59.7% and 44.1% in patients who underwent S-DSRS, and 75% and 75% in patients who underwent DSRS-SPD. Hemodynamic evaluation showed significantly lower PV/SMV ratio and degree of change in PV/SMV ratio of patients who underwent S-DSRS and DSRS-SPD. Many patients who underwent S-DSRS and DSRS-SPD exhibited loss of shunt selectivity at grades II and III. In contrast, patients who underwent DSRS-SPGD maintained satisfactory PV/SMV ratio and selectivity grade.

Conclusions

DSRS-SPGD clearly showed advantages in decrease of rebleeding and improvement of quality of life resulting from maintenance of shunt selectivity and portal blood flow.