Percutaneous transhepatic portal embolization for hilar cholangiocarcinoma / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To assess the clinical efficacy of percutaneous transhepatic portal embolization (PTPE) before the extended right hemihepatectomy for the treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Methods We successfully carried out a percutaneous transhepatic portal embolization in a patient with hilar cholangiocarcinoma and liver cirrhosis. Hepatic hemodynamics, liver volume,liver functions, and pathological changes were recorded after the procedure. Results After PTPE, the patient developed an inflammatory response manifested by a transient fever (39.2 ℃ at peak on the 5th postoperative day) and a mild abdominal pain. There were no other complications such as nausea, vomitting, hemorrhage, or bile leakage. The volume of the left lobe increased from 417.0 ml to 522.4 ml (enlargement rate, 125.2%); the volume of the right lobe decreased from 1041.3 ml to 1017.4 ml (diminishment rate, 97.7%). The ratio of the left lobe to the whole liver increased from 28.6% to 33.9%. The velocity of blood flow of the left portal vein increased by 100% and 39% on the day of operation and the 6th day after operation, respectively (from 12.8 ml/s preoperatively to 23.2 ml/s and 17.1 ml/s). The values of ICG R15 and ICG-K returned to normal levels. On the 17th day after PTPE, the quantity of bile drainage from the left lobe exceeded that from the right lobe. The extended right hemihepatectomy was performed 34 days after PTPE. During operation, an obvious hypertrophy of the left lobe and a distinct demarcation line between the segment 5, 6, and 7 (S5,6,7) and other segments were observed. Postoperative recovery was uneventful. The pathological examination found stenosis and embolization of the portal vein, as well as the degeneration, necrosis, and apotosis of the liver cells in the embolized lobe. Conclusions Portal vein embolization can effectively induce the hypertrophy of the unembolized lobe, which increases the safety level of following extended hemihepatectomy in patients with impared liver functions.