Partial splenic artery embolization with gelatin sponge or with lipiodol for hypersplenism: a comparative study

Objective To discuss the effects and the complications of partial splenic artery embolization with gelatin sponge or with lipiodol for hypersplenism, to provide scientific information helpful for the selection of embolization materials in clinical practice. Methods Partial splenic artery embolization with gelatin sponge was performed in forty patients with hypersplenism due to cirrhosis (gelatin sponge group) and partial splenic artery embolization with lipiodol was carried out in another thirty-nine patients (lipiodol group). The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. The laboratory studies, complications and recurrence were observed and compared between two groups. Results No significant difference in the reduction of splenic size, in the hemoglobin levels and in the thrombocyte and leucocyte counts existed between two groups (P 0.05). However, the platelet count in lipiodol group was obviously decreased three months after the treatment. The occurrence of complications in gelatin sponge group was much higher than that in lipiodol group (P 0.05). The toxic reaction of the liver and gastrointestinal tract in lipiodol group was significantly slighter than that in gelatin sponge group. Conclusion Partial splenic artery embolization with lipiodol should be employed for the treatment of hypersplenism when the patient is elder and the disease is accompanied by poor liver function, massive ascites, severe dysfunction of blood coagulation and serious portal hypertension.