联合肝脏分割和门静脉结扎二步肝切除术大鼠模型的建立

目的:建立联合肝脏分割和门静脉结扎(PVL)二步肝切除术(ALPPS)大鼠模型。方法:将健康60只SD雄性大鼠随机均分为PVL组、ALPPS组、假手术组。PVL组行肝左外叶、左中叶、右叶门静脉分支结扎及尾状叶切除,保留肝右中叶分支;ALPPS组在PVL组手术的基础上,将肝左中叶与右中叶在缺血带处离断;假手术组仅游离出门静脉各分支,不结扎。检测大鼠术后肝再生率(HRR)、肝功能情况,以及肝左中叶病理损伤程度与肝右中叶Ki-67的表达。结果:与假手术组比较,ALPPS组、PVL组术后各时间点肝右中叶HRR均明显升高(均P0.05),且第4、7天ALPPS组肝右中叶HRR明显高于PVL组(155.96%vs.118.15%;174.86%vs.133.55%,均P0.05)。PVL组术后早期肝功能指标好于ALPPS组(均P0.05),但后期无统计学差异(均P0.05)。组织病理学检查显示,ALPPS组术后第1天肝左中叶坏死明显多于PVL组;ALPPS组肝右中叶Ki-67表达第2、4天明显高于PVL组(85.36%vs.61.84%;43.40%vs.29.06%,均P0.05)。结论:ALPPS与PVL均能促进肝再生,并且ALPPS比PVL能更快的促进肝再生;成功建立大鼠ALPPS模型,为研究ALPPS肝再生机制及相关并发症奠定了基础。     

Mechanism of liver regeneration after liver resection and portal vein embolization (ligation) is different?

Whether or not liver regeneration after portal branch embolization (PE) (ligation, PVL) in the non-embolized (ligated) lobe is by the same mechanism as regeneration in the remnant lobe after liver resection has been reviewed. Portal vein branch embolization and heat shock protein are then discussed. Tumor growth accelerated in the remnant liver after hepatectomy. In contrast, PE or PVL resulted in marked contralateral hepatic hypertrophy and significant reduction of tumor growth in the non-embolized (non-ligated) lobes. Follistatin administration significantly increased liver regeneration after hepatectomy in rats. In contrast, regeneration of non-ligated lobes after PVL was not accelerated by exogenous follistatin. Tumor growth also was not accelerated. The liver regeneration rate peaked at 48–72 h in the nonligated lobe after PVL, a delay of 24 h compared with the remnant liver after hepatectomy. In the postoperative early stage, the expression of activin βA, βC, and βE mRNAs was stronger in PVL than in hepatectomy. At 72 h the expression of activin receptor type IIA mRNA reached a peak in hepatectomy, but was significantly lower in PVL. Thus, regulation of activin signaling through receptors is one of the factors determining liver regeneration after hepatectomy and PVL. These serial experimental results imply that the mechanism of liver regeneration after portal branch ligation (embolization) is different from that after hepatectomy. Heat shock protein was induced in the liver experimentally by intermittent ischemic preconditioning and could play some beneficial role in the recovery of liver function after hepatectomy, even in cirrhotic patients. When heat shock protein following right portal vein embolization in both the embolized and non-embolized hepatic lobes was investigated in clinical cases, a two to fourfold increase in HSP70 was induced in the non-embolized lobe compared with the embolized lobe. Oral administration of geranylgeranylacetone (a non-toxic HSP inducer) suppressed inflammatory responses and improved survival after 95% hepatectomy by induction of HSP70 in rats.     

Portal vein embolization vs. portal vein ligation for induction of hypertrophy of the future liver remnant

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of right portal vein embolization (PVE) vs. right portal vein ligation (PVL) for induction of hypertrophy of the left lateral liver lobe before extended right hepatectomy. Thirty-four patients with primary or secondary liver tumors and estimated remnant functional liver parenchyma of less than 0.5% of body weight underwent either right PVE (transcutaneous, n= 10; transileocolic, n =7) or right PVL (n=17). Liver volume was assessed by CT scan before occlusion of the right portal vein and prior to resection. There were no deaths. The morbidity rate in each group was 5.8% (PVE, 1 abscess; PVL, 1 bile leak). The increase in liver volume was significantly higher after PVE compared with PVL (188±81 ml vs. 123±58 ml) (P= 0.012). Postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter after PVE in comparison to PVL (4±2.9 days vs. 8.1±5.1 days;P<0.01). Curative liver resection was performed in 10 of 17 patients after PVE and 11 of 17 patients after PVL. PVE and PVL were found to be feasible and safe methods of increasing the remnant functional liver volume and achieving resectability for extended liver tumors. PVE results in a significantly more efficient increase in liver volume and a shorter hospital stay. Presented at the Forty-Third Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, San Francisco, California, May 19–22, 2002 (oral presentation).     

Two steps liver resection with right portal vein ligation for two giant hemangiomas of the left and right lobes

The liver failure is one of the most life threatening complication after extensive liver resections. In resections that exceed 70% of liver parenchyma, a two steps approach with portal branch ligation is the best alternative. The aim of the paper is to present the management of a 65-year-old female admitted into hospital for two giant symptomatic liver hemangiomas in the left lobe: segment III-20 cm. and in the right lobe: segments V-VIII-19 cm, which were non-resectable in the same intervention because the small amount of liver parenchyma left, and for these we decided a two steps surgery: left atypical resection with right portal vein ligation in the first step, attending 4 month for atrophy-hypertrophy process, and then right typical hepatectomy for second hemangioma who practically occupied all right liver. The postoperative course, was favorable after both interventions, with 7 days postsurgery hospitalisation, despite some hepatic failure symptoms: coagulation disturbance, increasing of bilirubin and ALAT, ASAT levels, ascites.     

ALPPS一期术后肝内干/祖细胞的变化及其与肝再生的关系

目的:探讨肝内干/祖细胞在联合肝脏分割和门静脉结扎二步肝切除术(ALPPS)一期手术后肝再生中的作用。方法:将72只SD大鼠随机均分为ALPPS组、门静脉结扎(PVL)组和假手术组,分别行ALPPS一期手术、单纯PVL和假手术。分别在术后1、2、3、7 d检测各组血清转氨酶、炎症因子水平与肝右中叶肝再生率(HRR),并检测肝脏组织中细胞增殖指标Ki-67与肝内卵圆细胞(干/祖细胞)标志物OV-6表达水平。结果:与假手术组比较,ALPPS组与PVL组术后1~2 d的转氨酶与炎症因子水平均明显升高,且在ALPPS组的升高水平均大于PVL组(均P0.05);ALPPS组与PVL组术后肝右中叶HRR及肝组织Ki-67阳性率明显升高,但ALPPS组在术后3、7 d的HRR明显高于PVL组,术后2、3 d的Ki-67阳性率明显高于PVL组(均P0.05);ALPPS组与PVL组术后肝组织均有明显OV-6表达,但ALPPS组术后2、3 d的OV-6表达水平明显高于PVL组(均P0.05)。结论:ALPPS一期手术诱导的肝再生明显优于PVL,机制可能为ALPPS术后较高的炎症状态使激活肝内干/祖细胞的动员和活化,从而促进快速肝再生有关。     

The ALPPS technique for bilateral colorectal metastases: three “variations on a theme”

The aim of this study was to assess feasibility of technical variations of the associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy technique (ALPPS) with regard to three different ways of liver splitting. The ALPPS technique was applied in the classic form consisting in ligation of the right portal vein, limited resections on the left lobe and splitting along the umbilical fissure; the right lobe was removed 1 week later. The first variation was “left ALPPS”: ligation of the left portal vein, multiple resections on the right hemiliver and splitting along the main portal fissure. The second variation was “rescue ALPPS”, consisting in simple splitting of the liver along the main portal fissure several months after a radiological portal vein embolization that did not allow satisfactory liver hypertrophy. The third variation was “right ALPPS”, consisting in ligation of the posterolateral branch of right portal vein, left lateral sectionectomy, multiple resections on the right anterior and left medial section and splitting along the right portal fissure. In all cases auxiliary deportalized liver was removed 1 week later. 4 patients with colorectal metastases were included. Morbidity was defined according to the Clavien–Dindo classification: grade I (2 events), grade IIIb (1 event). Postoperative mortality was nil. Median follow-up was 4 months and to date all patients are still alive. ALPPS technique, in its “classical” and modified forms, is a good option for selected patients with bilateral colorectal metastases and represents a feasible alternative to classical two-stage hepatectomy.     

How I do it: assessment of hepatic functional reserve for indication of hepatic resection

Liver resection of up to 75% of the total liver volume (TLV) has been regarded as safe in normal livers, but this concept was challenged by the results of living donor hepatectomies. In normal livers or livers with resolved jaundice, hepatectomy of 65% of TLV may be safe, except for patients with an indocyanine green retention rate at 15min (ICG R15) of over 15%, excessive hepatic steatosis, and age of over 70 years. However, the permissible extent of hepatectomy has been much restricted in cirrhotic livers because most post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) has occurred in cirrhotic livers. Our routine protocols for the assessment of functional hepatic reserve (FHR) include biochemical liver function tests, ICG R15, Doppler ultrasonography, and triphasic liver computed tomogram (CT) with volumetry. Blood cell count and gastroesophageal endoscopic findings are taken into consideration for cirrhotic livers, as well as age, diabetes, cardiopulmonary function, and general performance. Preoperative portal vein embolization has been used for safe hepatectomy even in cirrhotic livers. We think that any cirrhotic liver showing optimal FHR should have a remnant liver of 40% of TLV to prevent PHLF. ICG R15 and triphasic CT with volumetry have been the most useful methods for assessment of FHR and determination of hepatecomy extent in our institution.     

Una nueva técnica quirúrgica para la hepatectomía derecha extendida: torniquete en la cisura umbilical y oclusión portal derecha (ALTPS). Caso clínico

ALPPS (associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy), in 2-stage liver resections, achieves hypertrophy of the functional liver remnant (FLR) in 7 days, and the objective of this technique is the occlusion of the intrahepatic collaterals. In March 2012 we published a new surgical technique associating the insertion of a tourniquet in Cantlie’ line and right portal vein ligation (ALTPS: Associating liver tourniquet and right portal vein occlusion for staged hepatectomy). In this paper we present this ALTPS technique placing the tourniquet in the umbilical fissure to obtain hypertrophy of segments II-III. It was performed in a 51 year-old patient with a recurrent right renal hypernephroma which involved all the anatomic right lobe and inferior vena cava. Preoperative FLR was 380 ml (20% of the total volume) increasing 150% at 7 days (to 953 ml, 31% of the total). In the second step, we performed a right trisectionectomy and retrohepatic inferior vena cava resection, replacing it by a 2 cm-ring goretex graft.     

Nonsuperiority of technetium-99m-galactosyl human serum albumin scintigraphy over conventional volumetry for assessing the future liver remnant in patients undergoing hepatectomy after portal vein embolization

BackgroundTechnetium-99m-galactosyl human serum albumin scintigraphy is preferred for assessing the liver functional reserve in patients undergoing hepatectomy, but its superiority over computed tomography volumetry after portal vein embolization and subsequent hepatectomy remains elusive. We aimed to compare technetium-99m-galactosyl human serum albumin scintigraphy with conventional computed tomography volumetry for predicting posthepatectomy liver failure in patients after portal vein embolization.MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed 152 consecutive patients who underwent hepatobiliary cancer resection after portal vein embolization between 2006 and 2021. Posthepatectomy liver failure was graded according to the International Study Group of Liver Surgery criteria. The predictive abilities for posthepatectomy liver failure were compared between the future remnant uptake (%) by technetium-99m-galactosyl human serum albumin scintigraphy and the future remnant volume (%) by computed tomography volumetry.ResultsFuture remnant uptake (%) was significantly greater than future remnant volume (%) after portal vein embolization (47.9% vs 40.8%; P < .001), while the values were comparable before portal vein embolization (32.7% vs 31.2%; P = .116). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that post–portal vein embolization future remnant volume (%) had a significantly higher area under the curve than post–portal vein embolization future remnant uptake (%) (0.709 vs 0.630; P = .046) for predicting posthepatectomy liver failure. Multivariable analysis revealed that post–portal vein embolization future remnant volume (%) independently predicted posthepatectomy liver failure, but future remnant uptake (%) did not. Although the incidence of posthepatectomy liver failure grade ≥B was 17.8% when indocyanine green–clearance of the future liver remnant based on both future remnant volume (%) and future remnant uptake (%) was ≥0.05, it was higher in other combinations: 55.6% for indocyanine green clearance of the remnant volume ≥0.05/indocyanine green clearance of the remnant uptake ≤0.05; 50.0% for indocyanine green clearance of the remnant volume ≤0.05/indocyanine green clearance of the remnant uptake ≥0.05; and 50% for indocyanine green clearance of the remnant volume ≤0.05/indocyanine green clearance of the remnant uptake ≤0.05.ConclusionsTechnetium-99m-galactosyl human serum albumin scintigraphy is not superior to computed tomography volumetry for assessing the future liver remnant in patients undergoing major hepatectomy after portal vein embolization.     

The ALPPS Procedure: A Surgical Option for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Major Vascular Invasion

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tends to have a particular invasiveness toward the portal vein (PV) branches and hepatic veins. This situation can hamper major surgical resection with a risk of postoperative liver failure due to the small future liver remnant (FLR) in cirrhotic livers. These patients are then usually directed to palliative treatments with poor results. The associating liver partition and PV ligation (PVL) in staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) strategy is one of the main surgical innovations in recent years in the field of liver surgical oncology. The ALPPS approach could allow surgical resection in patients with HCC and associated major vascular invasion.

Methods

Among 1,143 liver resection performed in our center, the ALPPS approach was employed in order to induce rapid hypertrophy of the left FLR in patients with HCC and associated major vascular invasion. This strategy consists of combining the in situ splitting of the liver along the main portal scissura or on the right side of the falciform ligament and PVL in a strategy of staged hepatectomy.

Results

In our experience the ALPPS approach allowed us to achieve a sufficient FLR in two cases of HCC with major vascular invasion, in which the classic two-stage strategy could not be applied. In both cases the patients could undergo major hepatectomies without mortality.

Conclusions

This novel strategy could expand the number of patients undergoing major liver resections that were previously considered non-resectable because of the risk of liver decompensation for an insufficient FLR.     

余肝不足肝癌手术治疗争议与共识

手术切除是肝癌病人获得长期生存的主要治疗方式。近年来肝脏外科进展迅速,手术适应证不断扩大。肝脏解剖复杂性和手术操作已不再是肝脏外科发展的障碍,剩余肝足够与否成为限制肝脏手术的瓶颈。目前,人工肝支持技术尚不成熟,余肝不足肝癌手术的主要策略是诱导余肝增生然后再切除肿瘤的二步切除法,以及针对原发或转移性肿瘤的降期或转化治疗。二步切除的主要方法目前仍为门静脉栓塞（PVE）或门静脉结扎（PVL）的二步肝切除术。对于肝细胞肝癌,联合肝动脉化疗栓塞可进一步改善治疗效果。近年来,联合肝脏分隔和门静脉结扎的二步肝切除术（ALPPS）的出现为余肝不足的肝癌手术带来新的突破。该方法可在短时间内诱导显著的肝脏增生,但是术后并发症发生率和手术死亡率较高,在手术安全性及肿瘤转归方面尚有争议。近年来原发或转移性肝癌的降期或转化治疗伴随着非手术技术的进步,亦有很大进展,已使越来越多的病人能够手术获益。     

Right Portal Vein Ligation is as Efficient as Portal Vein Embolization to Induce Hypertrophy of the Left Liver Remnant

Background Aim of this retrospective study was to compare induction of left liver hypertrophy after right portal vein ligation (PVL) and right portal vein embolization (PVE) before right hepatectomy for liver metastases. Materials and Methods Between 1998 and 2005, 18 patients underwent a PVE, whereas 17 patients underwent a PVL during a first stage laparotomy. Results There was no complication related to PVE or PVL. After a similar interval time (7 ± 3 vs 8 ± 3 weeks), the increase of the left liver volume was similar between the two groups (35 ± 38 vs 38 ± 26%). After PVE and PVL, right hepatectomy was performed in 12 and 14 patients, respectively. Technical difficulties during the right hepatectomy were similar according to duration of procedure (6.4 ± 1 vs 6.7 ± 1 h, p = 0.7) and transfusion rates (33 vs 28%, p = 0.7). Mortality was nil in both groups, and morbidity rates were respectively 58% for the PVE group and 36% for the PVL group (p = 0.6). Conclusion Right PVL and PVE result in a comparable hypertrophy of the left liver. During the first laparotomy of a two-step liver resection, PVL can be efficiently and safely performed.     

多模影像技术在解剖性肝切除手术导航中应用价值研究

目的 研究三维可视化（3DV）、吲哚菁绿荧光融合影像（FIGFI）、虚拟现实（VR）技术等多模影像技术在解剖性肝切除手术导航的应用价值。方法 选择2016年1月至2018年6月间南方医科大学珠江医院肝胆外科64例肝脏肿瘤病人临床资料。采用MI-3DVS对薄层CT图像数据进行个体化的肝脏、肝内脉管和肿瘤三维重建，并将三维重建模型导入VR开发引擎中转化为VR模型，指导术前规划和决策；术中使用荧光成像仪对肝脏、肿瘤进行侦测，并联合3DV和VR技术导航肝切除手术。结果 MI-3DVS三维重建的64例病人肝脏、肿瘤及肝内脉管等结构清晰；通过头戴式显示器及安装了捕捉手和手指运动的传感器的操纵手柄融入一个 3D-VR环境，更立体直观地显示前期3DV模型的沉浸感、空间感和立体感；FIGFI可进行肿瘤边界界定、肝切缘的界定、微小肝癌和肝切缘残留病灶的侦测。64例病人中，肝左外叶切除4例，肝左叶切除16例，肝右前叶切除5例，肝右后叶切除5例，肝右叶切除17例，肝中叶切除术5例，肝段切除11例（5段3例、6段6例、7段1例、8段1例），尾状叶切除1例。实际手术过程与术前手术规划一致。术后均未出现腹腔出血、胆漏、肝功能衰竭等严重并发症，围手术期无死亡病例。结论 多模影像技术在术前精确影像评估和术中导航解剖性、功能性、根治性肝切除手术具有重要应用价值。     

Evaluation of liver function for hepatic resection

New limits have been established to decrease mortality and morbidity rates after liver resection in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients. Various laboratory data and imaging techniques have been used to complement the Child-Pugh score to predict liver failure after hepatectomy and to assess functional hepatic reserve. The greatest experiences are with the aminopyrine breath test and the galactosyl elimination capacity, which are decreased among hepatic failure patients after liver resection. However, absence of these changes do not totally exclude it. The indocyanine green retention test is the most widely used clearance test. Nevertheless, it remains imperfect because it depends both on hepatic blood flow and on the functional capacity of the liver. Nuclear imaging of the asialoglicoprotein receptors with radiolabelled synthetic asialoglicoproteins provides volumetric information as well a functional assessment of the liver. In summary, while liver function is complex, a successful liver test to assess quantitative functional hepatic reserve still needs to be established. The combination of the Child-Pugh score, the presence of ascites, the serum bilirubin levels, the indocyanine green retention (ICG R15) value, and the remnant liver CT volumetry seems to avoid an index of liver failure after hepatic resection. Cases when ICG R15 is above 15% should be combined with portal vein embolization. If there is no possibility to perform an ICG clearance test, it may be replaced with other available, well known dynamic liver function tests.     

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??Surgical treatment of liver cancer with insufficient future liver remnant: controversy and consensus ZHOU Jian,PENG Yuan-fei, WANG Zheng. Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
Correspongding author: ZHOU Jian, E-mail: zhou.jian@
zs-hospital.sh.cn
Abstract Hepatic resection is the main optimal curative treatment for primary or metastatic liver cancer. The tremendous advance in liver surgery has overcome the complexity of liver anatomy and operative manipulation, but is often halted by the insufficient future liver remnant (FLR) after extensive hepatectomies. Thus far, the artificial liver support system has not been well developed. The main strategies of resection for patients with insufficient FLR are two-stage hepatectomy (resection of tumor after induction of FLR hypertrophy) and downstaging/conversion therapy of prirmary or metastatic liver cancer. The conventional two-stage hepatectomy includes portal vein embolization (PVE) and portal vein ligation (PVL). In hepatocellular carcinoma patients, PVE combined with transarterial chemoembolization can further improve the outcomes. The associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) can significantly increase the resectability by achieving a rapid and an effective hypertrophy of the FLR, but the postoperative complication rate and mortality rate is higher??the safety and oncological results are still controversial. The downstaging/conversion therapy of primary or metastatic liver cancer have also been remarkably improved with the progression of non-surgical treatments, which has enabled more and more patients to benefit from surgery.     

Liver regeneration after major hepatectomy for biliary cancer

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate serial changes in liver volume after major hepatectomy for biliary cancer and to elucidate clinical factors influencing liver regeneration. METHODS: Serial changes in liver volume were determined, using computed tomography, in 81 patients with biliary cancer who underwent right hepatic lobectomy or more extensive liver resection with or without portal vein resection and/or pancreatoduodenectomy. Possible factors influencing liver regeneration were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The remnant mean(s.d.) liver volume was 41(8) per cent straight after hepatectomy. This increased rapidly to 59(9) per cent within 2 weeks, then increased more slowly, finally reaching a plateau at 74(12) per cent about 1 year after hepatectomy. The regeneration rate within the first 2 weeks was 16(8) cm3/day and was not related to the extent of posthepatectomy liver dysfunction. On multivariate analysis, the extent of liver resection (P < 0.001), body surface area (P = 0.02), combined portal vein resection (P = 0.024) and preoperative portal vein embolization (P = 0.047) were significantly associated with the liver regeneration rate within the first 2 weeks. In addition, body surface area (P < 0.001) and liver function expressed as plasma clearance rate of indocyanine green (P = 0.01) were significant determinants of final liver volume 1 year after hepatectomy. CONCLUSION: The liver regenerates rapidly in the first 2 weeks after major hepatectomy for biliary cancer. This early regeneration is influenced by four clinical factors. Thereafter, liver regeneration progresses slowly and stops when the liver is three-quarters of its original volume, approximately 6 months to 1 year after hepatectomy.     

Regeneration After Two-Stage Hepatectomy vs Repeat Resection for Colorectal Metastasis Recurrence

Background Two-stage hepatectomy aims to minimize liver failure risk by performing a second resection after regeneration, assuming that remnant liver hypertrophy after the second resection is similar to that seen in repeat hepatectomy, yet the impact of a two-stage strategy on liver volume and function remains to be demonstrated. Patients and Methods Twenty patients undergoing two-stage hepatectomy for multiple colorectal cancer metastases and 21 patients with more than two sections of liver parenchyma totally removed by repeat liver resections for recurrence were enrolled. Liver volumes after final hepatectomy and postoperative liver function were compared. Results Median total liver volumes before initial hepatectomy and after final hepatectomy of multiple resections were 942 and 863 ml in patients with repeat hepatectomy, whereas volumes at corresponding time points were 957 and 777 ml in patients with two-stage hepatectomy. The ratio of total liver volume after both hepatectomies to preoperative volume in the two-stage group (81.7%) was lower than that in the repeat resection group (92.0%, P = 0.027). Greater aspartate aminotransferase and prothrombin time and lower platelet count 1 month postoperatively and lower albumin at 6 months were evident after two-stage hepatectomy compared with repeat hepatectomy. Conclusions Two-stage hepatectomy is characterized by diminished hepatic regenerative capacity and postoperative liver function.     

Application of preoperative portal vein embolization before major hepatic resection in patients with normal or abnormal liver parenchyma.

BACKGROUND: Clinical parameters influencing the effect of preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) in hypertrophying the nonembolized lobe of patients with either normal or abnormal liver parenchyma and its effect upon portal pressure were examined to identify the patient population for whom this approach is most suited. METHODS: The study population included 43 patients undergoing major hepatectomy after PVE. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their liver parenchyma: 17 patients with normal liver parenchyma (N group) and 26 patients with damaged liver parenchyma due to viral hepatitis (D group). We calculated the correlation between volumetric increases in the nonembolized (left) lobe after PVE (hypertrophic ratio = post-PVE left lobe volume/pre-PVE left lobe volume) using computed tomography volumetry before and 2 weeks after PVE. Clinical parameters also were examined to identify those parameters modifying the hypertrophic ratio in each group, and changes in portal pressure by PVE and the subsequent hepatectomy were recorded. Finally, by comparing patients with or without postoperative liver failure after hepatectomy, the influence of the hypertrophic ratio and portal pressure on the outcome of subsequent hepatectomy was examined. RESULTS: The hypertrophic ratio was 1.34 +/- 0.23 in the N group, and 1.25 +/- 0.21 in the D group. This difference was not significant. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the parenchymal volumetric rate of the right lobe (PVR) in the D group and both PVR and prothrombin time in the N group were independent parameters predicting the hypertrophic ratio. The portal pressure increased immediately after PVE and was similar in both groups to levels after hepatectomy. Six patients in the D group experienced postoperative liver dysfunction. In 5 of these 6 patients, the hypertrophic ratio was below 1.2, and the portal pressure was higher than that in patients without liver dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: PVE induces hypertrophy of the nonembolized lobe of both abnormal and normal liver parenchyma, and the effect was predictable. Postoperative liver failure appeared to be more severe in patients having a lower hypertrophic ratio and higher portal pressure in abnormal liver parenchyma, however. PVE also may have diagnostic use in predicting portal pressure after hepatectomy, which may be associated with surgical outcome.