Vagus Nerve-guided Robotic-assisted Splenectomy and Azygoportal Disconnection

Vagus Nerve-guided Versus Conventional Robotic-assisted Splenectomy and Azygoportal Disconnection

This study aimed to evaluate whether vagus nerve-guided robotic-assisted splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection is effective and safe, and to determine whether a reduction in the incidence of postoperative complications of the digestive system improves postoperative quality of life compared with conventional robotic-assisted splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection.

After successful screening the cases of cirrhosis of liver irrespective of the etiology who have non tumor portal vein thrombosis will be enrolled. The baseline parameter will be recorded and the patient will be randomized into either interventional (vagus nerve-guided robotic-assisted splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection) or control (conventional robotic-assisted splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection) group. From postoperative day 3, all patients will receive 2.5 mg oral Apixaban tablets (Bristol-Myers Squibb, Cruiserath, USA) twice daily for 6 months, low-molecular-weight heparin (CS Bio, Hebei, China) subcutaneously (4.100 IU/day) for 5 days, and 25 mg of oral dipyridamole (Henan Furen, Henan, China) thrice daily for 3 months. At months 3 after operation, electron gastroscopy examination for delayed gastric emptying will be done for all patients. Postoperative complications of the digestive system (including diarrhea, epigastric fullness, bloating, nausea, and vomiting), liver and renal function, and body weight will be recorded at the seventh day and months 3 after operation. Then 3 months monitoring will be done in the both groups as per the primary or secondary outcome.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. A clinical, radiological or histologic diagnosis of cirrhosis of any etiology
2. Splenomegaly with secondary hypersplenism
3. Bleeding portal hypertension
4. No evidence of portal vein system thrombosis by ultrasound evaluation and angio-CT
5. Informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Delayed gastric emptying
2. Diarrhea
3. Hepatocellular carcinoma or any other malignancy,
4. Hypercoagulable state other than the liver disease related
5. DRUGS- oral contraceptives, anticoagulation or anti-platelet drugs.
6. Child - Pugh C
7. Recent peptic ulcer disease
8. History of Hemorrhagic stroke
9. Pregnancy.
10. Uncontrolled Hypertension
11. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection