Hemihepatic vascular occlusion with extrahepatic control of major hepatic veins for hepatectomy in cirrhotic carcinoma

Objective To evaluate the significance of hemihepatic vascular occlusion with extrahepatic control of major hepatic veins for hepatectomy in cirrhotic carcinoma. Methods A retrospective comparative study for hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) using Pringle maneuver (groupA,n=44),hemihepatic vascular occlusion(group B,n=76) and hemihepatic vascular occlusion plus extrahepatic control of major hepatic veins(group C,n=85)were made from March 2006 to September 2008.The amount of intraoperative bleeding,time of operation,postoperative liver function,liver function recovering and complications were compared.Results There was significant difference in the amount of intraoperative blood loss between the three groups(543.7 ml、415.8 ml、324.5 ml,respectively,F=98.96,P<0.001).There was no difference in the time of operation.The level of serum alanine transaminase(ALT) and that of serum bilirubin on the 3rd and 6th day postoperatively in group B,and C was significantly lower than that in group A.Conclusions Hemihepatic vascular occlusion with control of major hepatic veins results in selective liver isolation from the systemic circulation,which is more effective than Pringle maneuver for controlling intraoperative bleeding without interruption of hemodynamic stability in liver cancer patients. Key words: Carcinoma,hepatocellular; Hepatectomy; Hemihepatic vascular occlusion; Hepatic vein