Preoperative selective portal vein embolization before major hepatic resection for liver tumors

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the technique of selective portal vein embolization before hepatectomy and its value in the preparation of major hepatic resection for those with insufficient future remnant liver.Methods From Jan 2008 to July 2012,6 patients who suffered from hepatic tumors underwent selective ipsilateral portal vein embolization (PVE) due to insufficient future remnant liver volume (FRLV) before second-stage major hepatic resection.Results Technically,all six PVE were completed successfully with only minor liver function damages.The average FRLV increased from (474.33 ± 89.19)cm3 to (722.67 ± 151.51) cm3 (t =-5.587,P =0.003).The average tumor burden (total tumor volume)increased from (134 ± 181) cm3 to (270 ± 346) cm3 (t =-1.64,P =0.16).Five cases underwent secondstage major hepatectomy 6 weeks after PVE,while in 1 case a resection attempt was abandoned because of uncontrolled tumor growth during the period.During the follow-up period (median 37 months),1 died,4 survived,2 were tumor-free.Conclusions Selective portal vein embolization is a safe and effective method to induce hepatic hypertrophy in the appropriate clinical setting.Before PVE,hepatic tumor should be controlled beforehand with chemotherapy or TACE to ensure the scheduled second-stage hepatectomy. Key words: Liver neoplasms ; Portal vein; Embolization, therapeutic