Percutaneous portal vein embolisation in preparation for extended hepatic resection of primary nonresectable liver tumours.
BACKGROUND
In patients with malignant primary and secondary liver tumours or proximal bile duct carcinoma radical surgery is superior to all other therapeutic modalities in terms of survival and quality of life. Radical resection, however, often requires the removal of a large amount of liver parenchyma, resulting in a marked reduction of functional liver tissue with the risk of liver failure.


OBJECTIVE
Preoperative partial portal vein embolisation induces hypertrophy of the controlateral liver and thereby increases the safety of extended liver resections.


METHODS
Between January 1997 and February 2001 we applied this strategy in 19 patients with primary and secondary nonresectable hepatobiliary malignancies, in whom the estimated amount of the remnant liver was < or =25% of the liver volume.


RESULTS
The increase in volume ranged between 7 and 245%. Radical extended liver resection was performed in 13 patients (68%) without mortality. After a mean observation time of 22 months patient survival was 19 months with six tumour-related deaths during the second year after surgery. The remaining seven patients are alive and well with tumour recurrence in one.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative partial portal vein embolisation allows more patients with previously unresectable liver tumours to benefit from a potentially curative resection.
Ladurner
R
R
Department of General and Transplant Surgery, Innsbruck University Hospital, Anichstrasse 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria. rladurner@hotmail.com
Brandacher
G
G
Riedl-Huter
C
C
Steurer
W
W
Spechtenhauser
B
B
Waldenberger
P
P
Margreiter
R
R
Königsrainer
A
A
D001661:Biliary Tract Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D003973:Diatrizoate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D007459:Iodized Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011169:Portal Vein; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015028:Zein / Q000008:administration & dosage
D004338:Drug Combinations; D005227:Fatty Acids; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D003973:Diatrizoate; D007459:Iodized Oil; D015028:Zein; C020481:alcoholic prolamine solution