[Radiofrequency ablation for hypersplenism due to portal hypertension: clinical study].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility, efficacy and clinical prospects of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hypersplenism in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension.


METHODS
The laboratory and radiologic data over one-year period of patients undergone splenic RFA were analyzed.


RESULTS
Nine patients undergone splenic RFA has closely followed-up over 1 year. During hospitalization, no procedure-related complications occurred, only minor complications including hydrothorax (3/9 patients) and mild abdominal pain (4/9 patients) were observed. After treatment, average 30.7% (20%-43%) of spleen volume was ablated, and the platelet count reached peak on 14th post-procedure day. White blood cell and platelet counts, liver function, and hepatic artery blood flow had gained significant improvements comparing with those before RFA procedures. Hyperplasia/regeneration was also occurred in cirrhotic liver after splenic RFA.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiofrequency ablation is a safe, effective and minimally invasive approach for the management of hypersplenism in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Increased hepatic artery blood flow can contribute to significant improvement of liver function, and maybe potentially stimulate liver regeneration in cirrhotic liver.
Liu
Quan-da
QD
Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China. liuquanda@sina.com
Ma
Kuan-sheng
KS
He
Zhen-ping
ZP
Wu
Qiao
Q
Zhou
Ning-xin
NX
Dong
Jia-hong
JH
D000328:Adult; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006971:Hypersplenism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged