RESUMO
AIMS/BACKGROUND: Hepatic resection is the only treatment with possible curative effect both for primary and secondary tumors. An increase of the rate of resectability for tumors considered inoperable at first and a decrease of the postoperative morbidity and mortality can be realized by right portal branch ligature and two-step hepatectomy. METHODOLOGY: This paper presents the case of a patient with left bowel cancer with a hepatic metastasis. A right portal branch ligature was performed followed by systemic postoperative chemotherapy. RESULTS: The right portal branch occlusion was followed by right lobe atrophy and left lobe hypertrophy, confirmed by CT scan. Three months after the portal occlusion a right lobe hepatectomy was performed. The postoperative evolution was favorable; eight days of hospitalization were necessary. CONCLUSIONS: Portal branch ligature can be performed in certain cases of hepatic tumors to increase the resectability rate.
