Percentage of Future Liver Remnant Volume Before Portal Vein Embolization Influences the Degree of Liver Regeneration After Hepatectomy

Background

Clinical determinants of liver regeneration induced by portal vein embolization (PVE) and hepatectomy remain unclear. The aims of this study were to investigate how liver regeneration occurs after PVE followed by hepatectomy and to determine which factors strongly promote liver regeneration.

Methods

Thirty-six patients who underwent both preoperative PVE and major hepatectomy were enrolled in this study. Percentage of future liver remnant volume before PVE (%FLR-pre) was compared with the remnant liver volume after PVE (%FLR-post-PVE) and on postoperative day 7 after hepatic resection (%FLR-post-HR). Clinical indicators contributing to liver regeneration induced by both PVE and hepatectomy were examined by logistic regression analysis.

Results

PVE and hepatectomy caused a two-step regeneration. FLR-pre, FLR-post-PVE, and FLR-post-HR were 448, 579, and 761 cm³, respectively. The %FLR-pre was significantly associated with liver regeneration induced by both PVE and hepatectomy (r?=?0.63, p?<?0.0001). Multiple regression analysis showed that only %FLR-pre was independently correlated with posthepatectomy liver regeneration (p?=?0.027, odds ratio?=?13.8).

Conclusion

After PVE and the subsequent hepatectomy, liver regeneration was accomplished in a two-step manner. Liver regeneration was strongly influenced by the %FLR-pre.