Influence of the inversion of the portal/splenic vein diameter in the results of the surgical treatment of schistossomotic portal hypertension.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the morbidity and mortality in surgical treatment of schistosomal portal hypertension in patients with inversion of the Portal/Splenic Vein diameter ratio. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients undergoing surgical treatment of portal hypertension in the period between September 1993 and January 2004. The study population was divided into two groups: a) Inversion--splenic vein diameter greater than or equal to portal vein's--and b) control group (portal vein diameter greater than the splenic vein's). Statistical comparisons used the Student t test for averages difference, chi-square test for proportions difference and Fisher's exact test for small samples. RESULTS 169 patients were analyzed, with follow-up averaging 23.6 months. Twenty-one patients (12.4%) had splenic vein caliber greater of equal than the portal vein's (Inversion--study group). The mean preoperative diameter of the portal and splenic veins were respectively 1.49 and 1.14 cm in the control group, and 0.98 versus 1.07 cm in the inversion group. The portal vein diameter was significantly higher in the control group when compared to the inversion group (p <0.05). Varices in the gastric fundus were found in 33.3% of the inversion group and in 38.5% of patients in the control group. Postoperative rebleeding occurred in 23.1% of patients in the inversion group and in 13.4% of the control group ones (p > 0.05). In the postoperative evaluation with Doppler ultrasonography of portal vessels, no cases of portal vein thrombosis were observed in the inversion group, whilst in the control group portal thrombosis was identified in 16.9% of the patients (p <0.05). Death occurred in one (4.8%) individual from the inversion group; mortality was 4.1% in the control group (p>0.05). The mean serum level of platelets was significantly lower (65,950/mm²) in the inversion group than in the controls (106,647/mm²) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION The results suggest that the reversal of portal/splenic vein caliber ratio does not represent a contraindication to surgical treatment of schistosomal portal hypertension.