ObjectiveTo investigate the significance of the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in portal vein thrombosis after operation in patients with portal hypertension.MethodsThe serum of 146 patients with portal hypertension treated in Dongfeng Hospital Affiliated to Hubei Medicial College from January 2014 to December 2018 and the surgically removed splenic vein and spleen specimens were collected. The serum VEGF level was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the expressions of VEGF in splenic vein and spleen tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. According to whether portal vein thrombosis was formed after operation, the patients were divided into thrombosis group and non-thrombosis group, and the differences between the groups were compared.ResultsThe serum VEGF level in the thrombosis group was significantly higher than that in the non-thrombosis group (P<0.05). In splenic vein wall and spleen tissues, VEGF staining indexes in the thrombosis group were significantly higher than those in the non-thrombosis group (P<0.05).ConclusionsPostoperative portal vein thrombosis in patients with portal hypertension may be related to the serum VEGF level. The high expressions of VEGF in splenic vein wall and spleen suggest that VEGF may participate in the formation process of portal vein thrombosis.