Sinistral Portal Hypertension after Pancreaticoduodenectomy with Splenic Vein Resection: Pathogenesis and Its Prevention

To achieve curative resection for pancreatic cancer during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), extensive portal vein (PV) resection, including porto-mesenterico-splenic confluence (PMSC), may sometimes be necessary if the tumor is close to the portal venous system. Recently, this extended resection has been widely accepted in high-volume centers for pancreatic resection due to its favorable outcomes compared with non-operative treatment. However, in patients with long-term survival, sinistral portal hypertension (SPH) occurs as a late-onset postoperative complication. These patients present gastrointestinal varices due to congested venous flow from the spleen, which may cause critical variceal bleeding. Since the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer has improved, owing to the development of chemotherapy and surgical techniques, SPH is no longer a negligible matter in the field of pancreatic cancer surgery. This review clarifies the pathogenesis and frequency of SPH after PD through PMSC resection and discusses its prediction and prevention.

Laparoscopic transgastric necrosectomy in treatment of walled-off pancreatic necrosis with sinistral portal hypertension

Background Laparoscopic transgastric necrosectomy (LTGN) has been used in treatment of walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WON) for more than a decade. However, the safety and effectiveness of LTGN for WON with sinistral portal hypertension was still unclear. Methods WON patients with sinistral portal hypertension treated in our department between January 2011 and December 2018 were included and retrospectively analyzed in this study. Patients were divided into two groups according to different surgical approaches, LTNG or laparoscopic assisted trans-lesser sac necrosectomy (LATLSN). Perioperative and long-term outcomes were compared between two groups. Results 312 cases diagnosed with WON were screened and 53 were finally included in this study. Of the included patients, 21 and 32 cases were received LTGN and LATLSN, respectively. LTGN was associated with significantly lower morbidity than LATLSN (19.0% vs 46.9%, p = 0.04) and similar severe complication (Clavien–Dindo ≥ III) rate (12.5% vs 19.0%, p = 0.70). LTGN did not increase the rate of postoperative hemorrhage (9.5% vs 6.3%, p = 1.00) and mortality (9.5% vs 9.4%, p = 1.00). After 39 (11–108) months follow-up, the recurrence rate of WON and long-term complications were also comparable between groups. Conclusion From current data, LTGN was safe and effective in treatment of WON patients with sinistral portal hypertension in terms of short- and long-term outcomes.

Preoperative splenic artery embolism followed by splenectomy is safe and effective in patients with sinistral portal hypertension

Background Although preoperative splenic artery embolism (SAE) has been widely used for splenomegaly, the efficiency and safety of preoperative SAE in patients with sinistral portal hypertension (SPH) is unknown. Methods We designed a retrospective cohort of SPH patients who received preoperative SAE in our hospital (February 2018 to September 2020) and compared to those who received splenectomy only, in terms of intraoperative and postoperative outcomes. Results In all, 59 patients (18 patients received preoperative SAE) were analyzed. The median age was 44.7 years. Preoperative SAE reduced the intraoperative blood loss (637.0 vs. 420.3 ml, P = 0.041) and operation time (174.0 vs. 141.5 min, P = 0.012). The incidence of complications including postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), bleeding, and thromboembolism was comparable. Multivariate analysis showed that SAE was a protective factor for intraoperative blood loss and operation time, while prior pancreatic pseudocyst/abscess was a risk factor. Conclusions Preoperative SAE could reduce intraoperative blood loss and operation time in SPH patients without increasing the incidence of complications compared to splenectomy only.

Splenic Artery Embolisation for the Emergency Treatment of Sinistral Portal Hypertension: A Systematic Review

Objectives Sinistral portal hypertension (SPH) is caused by increased pressure on the left portal system secondary to splenic vein stenosis or occlusion and may lead to gastric varices. The definitive management of SPH is splenectomy, but this is associated with significant mortality and morbidity in the acute setting. In this systematic review, we investigated the efficacy and safety of splenic artery embolisation (SAE) in managing refractory variceal bleeding in patients with SPH. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and Embase databases. A qualitative analysis was chosen due to heterogeneity of the studies. Results Our search yielded 339 articles, 278 of which were unique. After initial screening, 16 articles relevant to our search remained for full text review. Of these, 7 were included in the systematic review. All 7 papers were observational, 6 were retrospective. Between them they described 29 SAE procedures to control variceal bleeding. The technical success rate was 100% and there were no cases of rebleeding during follow up. The most common complication was post-embolisation syndrome. Four major complications occurred, two resulting in death. These deaths were the only 30-day mortalities recorded and were in patients with extensive comorbidities. Conclusions Although there is a distinct lack of randomized controlled studies comparing SAE to other treatment modalities, it appears to be safe and effective in treating hemorrhage secondary to SPH.

Solid pseudopapillary epithelial neoplasia of the pancreas causing sinistral portal hypertension: a case report

Solid pseudopapillary epithelial neoplasm (SPEN), also referred as Franz’s tumour or Hamoudi’s tumour is a low malignant potential epithelial neoplasm of the pancreas. It occurs at a much lower frequency than other cystic neoplasms of the pancreas. It occurs rarely and in young females. Although infrequently, large sized tumours are known to compress the splenic vein thereby resulting in extra hepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO) resulting in left sided portal hypertension (PHT). The resulting periportal collateral circulation poses an intraoperative challenge while approaching these tumors. Meticulous pre-operative planning can go a long way in managing such a case and providing complete surgical cure. We present a case of SPEN in a 37 years old female which was discovered incidentally and managed surgically to achieve a complete cure to both the tumour and the left sided PHT.