Abstract: Objective The purpose of this study was to observe the efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portal shunt (TIPS) and partial splenic artery embolization (PSE) in the treatment of patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis complicated by hypersplenism. Methods A total of 72 patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis complicated by hypersplenism were encountered in our hospital between January 2018 and January 2021, and were randomly divided into control (n = 36) and combination group (n = 36), receiving PSE or PSE and TIPS combination treatment. All patients were followed-up for one year. Results One week after treatment, the platelet (PLT) and white blood cell (WBC) counts in the combination group were (76.1±25.8) ×10⁹/L and (4.2±1.2) ×10⁹/L, both significantly higher than [(45.8±13.7) ×10⁹/L and (2.4±0.5) ×10⁹/L, respectively, P < 0.05] in PSE-treated patients; at the end of 12 months after operation, the PLT and WBC counts in the combination group were (59.3±18.7) ×10⁹/L and (2.8±0.9) ×10⁹/L, both significantly higher than [(45.6±14.2) ×10⁹/L and (2.0±0.6) ×10⁹/L, respectively, P<0.05] in the PSE-treated patients; serum albumin level in the combination group were (37.9±3.4) g/L, significantly higher than [(35.9±3.5) g/L, P < 0.05] in PSE-treated patients; the incidences of stent stenosis and hepatic encephalophathy after TIPS and PSE were 22.2% and 33.3%. Conclusion The TIPS and PSE is beneficial to alleviate short-term postoperative hypersplenism in patients with hepatitis B liver cirrhosis, which might help improve the compromised functions of immune system.

Key words: Liver cirrhosis, Hypersplenism, Transjugular intrahepatic portal shunt, Partial splenic artery embolization, Therapy