Splenic artery embolization in patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation
Aim: to analyze the results of embolization of the splenic artery in five patients after orthotopic liver transplantation. Materials and methods. Embolization of the splenic artery was performed 6 times in five (3.2%) of 158 patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation in terms from 2 months up to 10 years after surgery. The indications for embolization in 3 cases were the manifestations of hypersplenism syndrome, in 3 others - splenic artery steal syndrome. Results. In 3 cases of splenic artery embolization, performed in connection with the manifestations of hypersplenism: 2 - recurrent disease, 1 - splenic infarction. In all these cases a splenectomy was required. In 3 cases when embolization was performed in connection with the display of the splenic artery steal syndrome remission was achieved, splenectomy was not required. Conclusion. Splenic artery embolization can be considered as a method of treating patients with manifestations of steal syndrome and hypersplenism after orthotopic liver transplantation. The most pronounced effect was achieved in patients with a predominance of manifestations of steal syndrome.