Role of hepatic venous fissure in liver surgery

Objective To investigate the use of hepatic vein fissure in hepatic surgery. Methods The right hepatic lobectomy was performed in 30 patients receiving piggyback liver transplantation, 10 selective hepatic vein occlusion for hepatectomy and 3 establishment of hepatic occluding segment behind the liver. Results The 3 approaches could be used to anatomize the root of the right hepatic vein and common branch of the left and median hepatic vein, amputate the hepatic vein or occlude it or even establish the tunnel behind the liver to accomplish the surgery of right hepatic lobectomy. Conclusions Hepatic vein fissure is an important anatomical structure at the root of hepatic vein and it is necessary, feasible, safe and reliable for anatomization of the root of hepatic vein.