[Surgical treatment of hepatosplenic bilharziosis in the Ivory Coast. Apropos of 34 cases]

Ann Gastroenterol Hepatol (Paris). 1984 Jan-Feb;20(1):13-6.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Portal hypertension due to hepato-splenic bilharziasis is common in Abidjan, where we operated on 34 cases in 15 years. The indications for surgical intervention include gastrointestinal haemorrhage due to rupture of esophageal varices, a very bulky enlarged spleen and, more, rarely, recurrent ascites. Simple splenectomy (9 cases) suppresses discomfort and pain, corrects the hypersplenism and brings about a moderate reduction of portal pressure. Spleno-renal anastomosis (19 cases) remains the operation of choice. The long-term results, difficult as these are to assess under ill-regulated African conditions, appear satisfactory on the whole, due to less serious damage to the hepatocyte than in the cirrhoses (62% Child A and 29% Child B). We therefore continue to advocate splenectomy followed if possible by a spleno-renal shunt in bilharzial portal hypertension.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Portal / etiology
  • Hypertension, Portal / surgery*
  • Liver Diseases, Parasitic / complications
  • Liver Diseases, Parasitic / surgery*
  • Male
  • Methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Schistosomiasis / surgery*
  • Splenectomy
  • Splenic Diseases / surgery*
  • Splenorenal Shunt, Surgical