Experimental studies of new embolizing material for portal vein embolization

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Preoperative portal vein embolization induces hypertrophy of the future remnant liver and atrophy of the liver to be resected. This procedure has been used recently to avoid hepatic failure in extensive hepatic resection, but an adequate embolizing material has not been developed. This experimental study investigated the embolization effect of a newly devised embolizing material in dogs. METHODOLOGY: The left branch of the portal vein was embolized with an emulsion of polidocanol and gelatin sponge. We studied the changes in liver weight and biochemical data up to 8 weeks after embolization. Pathological examination of the embolized portal vein and radiological study of the embolizing effect were performed. RESULTS: Complete obstruction of the portal vein was maintained until 8 weeks after embolization. Sufficient hypertrophy of the non-embolized liver and atrophy of the embolized liver were obtained during this examination. No serious complication was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The mixture of polidocanol and gelatin sponge seems to ensure perfect portal embolization without recanalization. This embolizing material is suitable for portal embolization.