Nowadays partial splenic embolization (PSE) is an important therapeutic means to treat secondary hypersplenism caused by portal hypertension. By reducing the splenic blood flow and increasing hepatic blood supply, the peripheral blood picture and the liver function indexes as well as the portal hypertension can be effectively improved. This article aims mainly to make a comprehensive review on the therapeutic effect and mechanism of PSE, its clinical efficacy, as well as the factors affecting the clinical results, and to discuss the postoperative complications, the advantages and disadvantages of different embolic materials.