Normal fibronectin levels after surgical treatment of portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis.

We found a significantly higher plasma fibronectin concentration in a group of nine cirrhotic patients who underwent surgical treatment for portal hypertension (either shunting and non shunting procedures) when compared to twenty non operated patients. Significantly shorter prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time in the operated patients were found as well. These results might be related to an increased breakdown of fibronectin during consumption coagulopathy taking place in the extended collaterals and reversed in part by surgical treatment of portal hypertension complicating liver cirrhosis.