Background: Inadequate remnant liver volume is a major cause of postoperative liver failure. Preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) is used clinically to prevent postoperative liver insufficiency.
Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of preoperative portal vein embolization, by using a combination of gelatin sponge and histoacryl to induce hypertrophy of future liver remnant (FLR) in patients with a hepatobiliary malignancy.
Material and Methods: PVE using a combination of gelatin sponge and histoacryl glue was performed in 11 patients (nine men, two women; mean age 60 years, range 46–70 years). These patients were diagnosed with a hepatobiliary malignancy before surgery and their FLR volumes were judged as insufficient to allow for safe resection (FLR <25% in patients with a normal liver or FLR <40% in patients with a chronic liver disease). Liver volume changes, levels of biochemical markers, complications related to PVE, and postoperative complications were retrospectively evaluated.
Results: PVE was successful in all patients, and there were no procedural complications. The enlargement of nonembolized liver lobe was 30% (mean 118 cm3). A planned hepatectomy was cancelled in four patients due to the presence of a late-detected extrahepatic metastasis. Seven of the 11 patients underwent hepatectomy without complications.
Conclusion: Preoperative PVE with a combination of gelatin sponge and histoacryl glue is a safe and effective procedure to induce hypertrophy of nonembolized parts of the liver.
