The international surgical journal with global reach

This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Portal vein resection and reconstruction prior to hepatic dissection during right hepatectomy and caudate lobectomy for hepatobiliary cancer. BJS 2003; 90: 694-697.

Published: 10th February 2003

Authors: S. Kondo, H. Katoh, S. Hirano, Y. Ambo, E. Tanaka, S. Okushiba et al.

Background

Hepatobiliary cancer invading the hilar bile duct often involves the portal bifurcation. Portal vein resection and reconstruction is usually performed after completion of the hepatectomy. This retrospective study assessed the safety and usefulness of portal vein reconstruction prior to hepatic dissection in right hepatectomy and caudate lobectomy plus biliary reconstruction, one of the common procedures for radical resection.

Method

Clinical characteristics and perioperative results were compared in patients who underwent right hepatectomy and caudate lobectomy plus biliary reconstruction with (ten patients) and without (11 patients) portal reconstruction from September 1998 to March 2002.

Results

All ten portal vein reconstructions were completed successfully before hepatic dissection; the portal cross‐clamp time ranged from 15 to 41 (median 22) min. Blood loss, blood transfusion during the operation, postoperative liver function, morbidity and length of hospital stay were similar in the two groups. No patient suffered postoperative hepatic failure or death.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that portal vein reconstruction does not increase the morbidity or mortality associated with right hepatectomy and caudate lobectomy with biliary reconstruction. This approach facilitates portal vein reconstruction for no‐touch resection of hepatobiliary cancer invading the hilar bile duct. Copyright © 2003 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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