BMC Surgery (Apr 2020)

In situ split plus portal vein ligation (ISLT) – a salvage procedure following inefficient portal vein embolization to gain adequate future liver remnant volume prior to extended liver resection

  • Nadja Lehwald-Tywuschik,
  • Sascha Vaghiri,
  • Jan Schulte am Esch,
  • Salman Alaghmand,
  • Yan Klosterkemper,
  • Lars Schimmöller,
  • Anja Lachenmayer,
  • Hany Ashmawy,
  • Andreas Krieg,
  • Stefan A. Topp,
  • Alexander Rehders,
  • Wolfram Trudo Knoefel

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12893-020-00721-y
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 20, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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Abstract Background Right extended liver resection is frequently required to achieve tumor-free margins. Portal venous embolization (PVE) of the prospective resected hepatic segments for conditioning segments II/III does not always induce adequate hypertrophy in segments II and III (future liver remnant volume (FLRV)) for extended right-resection. Here, we present the technique of in situ split dissection along segments II/III plus portal disruption to segments IV-VIII (ISLT) as a salvage procedure to overcome inadequate gain of FLRV after PVE. Methods In eight patients, FLRV was further pre-conditioned following failed PVE prior to hepatectomy (ISLT-group). We compared FLRV changes in the ISLT group with patients receiving extended right hepatectomy following sufficient PVE (PVEres-group). Survival of the ISLT-group was compared to PVEres patients and PVE patients with insufficient FLRV gain or tumor progress who did not receive further surgery (PVEnores-group). Results Patient characteristics and surgical outcome were comparable in both groups. The mean FLRV-to-body-weight ratio in the ISLT group was smaller than in the PVEres-group pre- and post-PVE. One intraoperative mortality due to a coronary infarction was observed for an ISLT patient. ISLT was successfully completed in the remaining seven ISLT patients. Liver function and 2-year survival of ~ 50% was comparable to patients with extended right hepatectomy after efficient PVE. Patients who received a PVE but who were not subsequently resected (PVEnores) demonstrated no survival beyond 4 months. Conclusion Despite extended embolization of segments I and IV-VIII, ISLT should be considered if hypertrophy was not adequate. Liver function and overall survival after ISLT was comparable to patients with trisectionectomy after efficient PVE.

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