Effect of LSD on Renal Function in Cirrhotic Patients With Portal Hypertension

September 9, 2026 updated by: Guo-Qing Jiang, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital

Effect of Laparoscopy Splenectomy and Azygoportal Disconnectionon Renal Function in Cirrhotic Patients With Portal Hypertension

Patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension often have impaired kidney function due to reduced blood flow to the kidneys and fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites). Laparoscopy splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection (LSD) is a minimally invasive surgery commonly used to treat bleeding from swollen veins in these patients, but its impact on kidney function recovery remains unclear.

This study will review medical records of patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension who underwent LSD at our hospital. We will measure kidney function using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) before surgery and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after surgery to evaluate changes over time. We will also examine whether factors such as fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites) before surgery are associated with kidney function changes after LSD.

The goal is to better understand how LSD affects kidney function in these patients and to identify factors that may predict kidney function recovery, which could help improve care for cirrhotic patients undergoing this surgery.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Liver cirrhosis is associated with systemic hemodynamic disturbances, reduced effective circulating volume, and renal hypoperfusion, creating a high risk of renal dysfunction and hepatorenal syndrome (HRS)-a life-threatening condition reflecting the critical hepatorenal interaction. Patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension frequently have subclinical or overt renal impairment preoperatively. Laparoscopy splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection (LSD) is a standard intervention for cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension, but its impact on long-term renal function recovery remains unclear.

This single-center retrospective cohort study will be conducted at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Subei People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China. We will retrospectively collect clinical and follow-up data from patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension who underwent LSD between February 2012 and February 2025.

Patients will be stratified into two groups based on preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): impaired renal function group (<90 mL/min/1.73m²) and normal renal function group (≥90 mL/min/1.73m²). Kidney function will be assessed using eGFR calculated with the 2021 CKD-EPI creatinine equation at five time points: preoperative baseline and postoperative months 3, 6, 9, and 12.

Statistical analyses will include linear mixed-effects models (LMM) to evaluate eGFR change trajectories and group differences over time; multivariable linear regression to identify factors independently associated with eGFR change (ΔeGFR = postoperative month 12 eGFR - preoperative eGFR); and multivariable logistic regression (limited to patients with baseline eGFR <90 mL/min/1.73m²) to identify predictors of renal function recovery to normal (eGFR ≥90 mL/min/1.73m²).

The study aims to evaluate whether LSD is associated with kidney function improvement in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension, whether the degree of improvement differs between patients with and without pre-existing renal impairment, and whether preoperative factors such as ascites severity are associated with the magnitude of renal function recovery. These findings may help fill an important gap in understanding the hepatorenal axis after LSD and guide perioperative renal protection strategies in this high-risk population.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

496

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

N/A

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

This is a retrospective, single-center, observational cohort study. The study population consists of adult patients with liver cirrhosis, splenomegaly and hypersplenism, and portal hypertension bleeding who underwent laparoscopic splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection (LSD) at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Subei People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University between February 2012 and February 2025. Patients were identified from electronic medical records and followed for up to 12 months postoperatively to assess renal function dynamics. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of LSD on renal function recovery and identify factors associated with postoperative renal outcomes in this high-risk population.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Age ≥18 years.
  2. Diagnosis of liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension.
  3. Underwent laparoscopic splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection (LSD) at our institution.
  4. Adequate preoperative and postoperative clinical and follow-up data for analysis.
  5. Preoperative and postoperative eGFR data available at the specified time points (baseline, month 3, 6, 9, and 12).

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Child-Pugh Class C liver cirrhosis.
  2. Primary renal diseases (e.g., glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease, chronic pyelonephritis, etc.).
  3. Previous abdominal surgery that precluded safe laparoscopic splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection (LSD).
  4. Severe cardiac, pulmonary, or cerebrovascular dysfunction; malignant tumors; or primary hematological disorders.
  5. Hepatic encephalopathy or refractory ascites within 1 month before surgery.
  6. Pregnancy or lactation.
  7. Poor compliance or inability to complete follow-up.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
LSD-treated Patients with Liver Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension
Patients who underwent laparoscopy splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection for liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension
A minimally invasive surgical procedure involving laparoscopic removal of the spleen and ligation of perigastric and esophageal varices to reduce portal hypertension and prevent variceal bleeding.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Serum Creatinine (Scr) Level
Time Frame: At preoperative baseline, postoperative month 3, month 6, month 9, month 12
Change in serum creatinine (Scr) level, used for eGFR calculation.
At preoperative baseline, postoperative month 3, month 6, month 9, month 12
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)
Time Frame: At preoperative baseline, postoperative month 3, month 6, month 9, month 12
Change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculated using the 2021 CKD-EPI creatinine equation. eGFR was assessed at preoperative baseline and postoperative months 3, 6, 9, and 12 to evaluate longitudinal renal function changes.
At preoperative baseline, postoperative month 3, month 6, month 9, month 12

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Level
Time Frame: At preoperative baseline, postoperative month 3, month 6, month 9, month 12
Changes in BUN level as additional indicators of renal function.
At preoperative baseline, postoperative month 3, month 6, month 9, month 12
Blood Uric Acid (UA) Level
Time Frame: At preoperative baseline, postoperative month 3, month 6, month 9, month 12
Changes in UA level as additional indicators of renal function.
At preoperative baseline, postoperative month 3, month 6, month 9, month 12
Postoperative Complications
Time Frame: At postoperative day 1, day 3, day 7, month 1, month 3, month 6, month 12
Postoperative complications including bleeding, infection, hepatic encephalopathy, and ascites.
At postoperative day 1, day 3, day 7, month 1, month 3, month 6, month 12
Albumin
Time Frame: At preoperative baseline, postoperative month 3, month 6, month 9, month 12
Changes in serum albumin levels.
At preoperative baseline, postoperative month 3, month 6, month 9, month 12
Total Bilirubin Level
Time Frame: At preoperative baseline, postoperative month 3, month 6, month 9, month 12
Changes in serum total bilirubin levels.
At preoperative baseline, postoperative month 3, month 6, month 9, month 12

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Study Chair: guoqing jiang, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

February 1, 2012

Primary Completion (Actual)

February 1, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

August 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 11, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 9, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

September 10, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

September 10, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 9, 2026

Last Verified

September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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