Analysis of future liver remnant parameters in children after extended liver resection

Abstract

To analyze the initial data on future liver remnant volume and its function evaluated by 99mTc-Bromesida hepatobiliary scintigraphy in children with liver tumors. Extended liver resections were performed in 58 patients aged 2 months - 208 months (median 26 months) for various neoplasms. Before hepatectomy, all children underwent contrast-enhanced CT with volumetry and hepatobiliary scintigraphy with 99mTc-Bromezida and subsequent quantitative assessment of its accumulation in the future liver remnant. All consecutive patients eligible for extended liver resection were retrospectively analyzed. The analysis included patients who underwent extended liver resection between June 2017 and March 2021. Among 91 liver resections, 58 (64%) procedures were extended hepatectomies including 2 ALPPS procedures. Median volume of future liver remnant was 44.5% (16.5-91.4), median future liver remnant function - 10.14%/min/m2 (1.8-30). Four patients with adequate liver function had insufficient volume of future liver remnant. Insufficient future liver remnant volume and its appropriate function were observed in 2 patients. Not life-threatening post-resection liver failure developed in 2 patients. Evaluation of future liver remnant function is the most sensitive method to predict post-hepatectomy liver failure in children. The cut off value of future liver remnant volume in children is below 25% and probably below 16.5%. Further data collection and research are warranted to determine significant values. These data will contribute to define the new indications for two-staged hepatectomies in children.