J Korean Radiol Soc.
1995 May;32(5):769-774.
The Role of the Preoperative Portal Vein Embolization in Major Hepatectomy
Abstract
- PURPOSE
To assess the role of the preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) in patients in need of major
hepatectomy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Total of 11 cases consisted of Klatskin tumor (n:6), gallbladder cancer (n=2), and
hepatocellular carcinoma (n=3). After percutaneous transhepatic puncture of portal vein (right:7, left:4), the
embolization of 1st order branch of right portal vein was done with Gentamicin soaked Gelfoam cubes.
Radiologically, the angle between the middle hepatic vein and the inferior vena cava was measured on pre-
and post-PVE CT (F/U :10 days) to evaluate the hypertrophy of the left lobe. Clinically, amount and nature of the
drained bile through the PTBD tube of both lobes were analyzed in 5 patients with Klatskin tumor. The interval
between PVE & operation was 10-24 days. Operative findings & the changes of postop. total bilirubin were
analyzed and the complication after procedure was checked.
RESULTS
There was decrease in mean angle between the middle hepatic vein and the inferior vena cava
from 35.9 degree to 23.9 degree, but it was insignificant statistically (p=0.09). The embolization of right portal
vein was done and there was increase in amount of drained bile from the nonembolized left lobe by 2-3 folds
8-14 days after PVE. The color and consistency between both lobes were significantly different; right lobe was
darker in color and softer in consistency. Postoperative total bilirubin increased by 2-3 folds 1 to 4 days after
PVE and normalized 10 to 14 days after PVE. Most of the patients had mild abdominal pain and fever after PVE
and 1 patient had localized hematoma at puncture site which was subsided spontaneously.
CONCLUSION
The preoperative portal vein embolization is a useful method for minimizing postoperative liver
failure in patients in need of major hepatectomy.