PORTAL-VEIN THROMBOSIS FOLLOWING SPLENECT OMY IN PORTAL-HYPERTENSION - RISKS AND MANAGEMENT

Splenectomy intended to treat hypersplenism can, in the presence of po rtal hypertension (PTH), lead to extrahepatic portal and mesenteric ve in thrombosis. The management of possible variceal bleeding in patient s with extrahepatic portal vein occlusion following splenectomy in por tal hypertension is a problematic and challenging undertaking. We repo rt on the management of variceal bleeding in 2 noncirrhotic patients w ith PTH who developed portal vein thrombosis following ill-advised spl enectomy.It must be stressed again that splenectomy alone intended to control hypersplenism in portal hypertension is to be avoided at all c osts. Options for the treatment of portal and mesenteric vein thrombos is and variceal bleeding are proposed.