Right hepatectomy with total hemihepatic vascular exclusion in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To explore the clinical value of total hemihepatic vascular exclusion (THHVE) in right hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods One hundred and twenty-three consecutive patients who underwent right hepatectomy for HCC between February 2006 and December 2008 were studied retrospectively. THHVE was used in 58 patients (group A) and Pringle maneuver in 65 patients (group B). The patient's demographics,surgical procedure and outcome were collected and compared between the two groups.Results The tumor size was significantly bigger in group A than group B (7.69±3.70 cm vs.6.08±4.07 cm,P＜0.05).The vascular occlusion time in group A was significantly longer than groupB (28.55±8.67 min vs.19.85±6.71 min,P＜0.05). However, intraoperative blood loss in group A was significantly less than group B (304.31±270.36 ml vs.542.62±876.84 ml,P＜0.05),and the elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) on day- 1,-3 and- 7 after operation in group A were significantly lower than group B (P＜0.05).The postoperative complication rate in group A was lower than group B (18.97％ vs.38.46％,P＜0.05).Conclusion THHVE was a safe and efficacious technique in right hepatectomy for HCC.It significantly decreased blood loss,alleviated liver injury and reduced postoperative morbidity and mortality. Key words: Hepatic vascular exclusion; Hepatectomy; Hepatocellular carcinoma