Improved liver function due to decompression of the hepatic veins after extended left hepatectomy

Extended left hepatectomy was performed on a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma in the median segment of the liver. The impaired hepatic venous outflow demonstrated by preoperative duplex Doppler ultrasonography improved after surgery due to decompression of the hepatic veins, and liver function improved. A certain volume of hepatic venous outflow may be necessary to maintain liver function and allow compensatory hypertrophy after partial hepatectomy.