Long-term outcomes of synchronous splenectomy and hepatectomy or radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma and esophagogastric variceal bleeding

Abstract Aim: This study aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of hepatectomy and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with pericardial devascularization (PCDV) plus splenectomy for patients with cirrhosis having hepatocellular carcinoma and esophagogastric variceal bleeding.Materials and Methods: Between October 2008 and March 2018, 46 patients with cirrhosis having hepatocellular carcinoma and esophagogastric variceal bleeding for portal hypertension were included in this study. The overall survival curves, recurrence-free survival curves, and rebleeding-free survival curves were plotted using Kaplan–Meier analysis. The log-rank test was used to compare time-to-event curves between groups.Results: The median follow-up time was 38 months. Among 20 patients undergoing RFA, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 95.00%,60.00%, and 35.00%, respectively. The 1-, 3- and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 35.00%, 25.00%, and 10.00%, respectively. The 1,3- and 5-year rebleeding-free survival rates were 85.00%, 60.00%, and 40.00%, respectively. Among 26 patients undergoing hepatectomy, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 96.15%,50.00%, and 34.62%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 65.38%, 19.23%, and 11.54%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year rebleeding-free survival rates were 73.08%, 42.31%, and 26.92%, respectively. No significant differences were found in overall, recurrence-free, and rebleeding-free survival rates.Conclusions: Hepatectomy or RFA with PCDV plus splenectomy might be a safe and effective treatment for patients with cirrhosis having hepatocellular carcinoma and esophagogastric variceal bleeding. “Hepatectomy first” strategy may be considered due to its lower and later recurrence. More attention should be paid to background liver diseases after surgery.