Foam Sclerotherapy during Shunt Surgery for Portal Hypertension and Varices

Objective This preliminary study investigated the clinical safety and efficacy of foam sclerotherapy during shunt surgery to treat portal hypertension and gastroesophageal varices. Methods Seven patients with confirmed portal hypertension and a variceal bleeding history underwent mesocaval shunt with simultaneous polidocanol foam injection into the varices. Computed tomography and endoscopic reviews were conducted within two weeks following the procedures and around six months later. Results Six patients underwent side-to-side mesocaval shunt. One received a prosthetic mesocaval shunt. Polidocanol foam was injected into the gastric varices or the inferior mesenteric vein during the surgery. Surgical success and survival was achieved in all patients. Gastric ulcer formation and thrombocytopenia occurred in one patient respectively, which were ameliorated by conservative treatment. During 12 to 24 months' follow-up, three patients had obvious decrease or eradication of gastroesophageal varices; four patients had obvious decrease of gastric varices but residual esophageal varices; and all patents had unobstructed shunts. Encephalopathy occurred in one patient two months postoperatively. No sclerosant-related complications were observed and no postoperative recurrent variceal bleeding occurred. Conclusions Foam sclerotherapy during shunt surgery is safe and effective for portal hypertension and varices treatment.