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Hypertrophy of the Left Liver in Patients with Large Tumors in the Right Liver

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Abstract

Background

It has been speculated that, when right-sided major hepatectomy (RSMH) is planned for patients with large tumors in the right liver, it may not lead to a marked decrease in normally functional hepatic mass.

Methods

We collected data for patients who had undergone RSMH for tumors more than 8 cm in diameter (n = 50) and compared them with control patients who had undergone RSMH for tumors less than 5 cm in diameter (n = 21).

Results

The ratio of the remnant left liver volume to the nontumorous liver volume (left liver ratio) in the patients with large tumors was significantly greater than that in the control group (50.0 ± 12.8 % vs. 40.2 ± 8.3 %, p = 0.002). Left liver ratio was significantly correlated with tumor volume (p < 0.001). Preoperative portal vein embolization was performed in only four of the 50 patients with large tumors. None of the patients with large tumors developed postoperative liver failure.

Conclusions

Left liver volume in patients with large tumors in the right liver was larger than usual, perhaps reducing the risk of postoperative liver insufficiency after RSMH.

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Correspondence to Yoichi Ishizaki.

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Nakayama, Y., Ishizaki, Y., Yoshimoto, J. et al. Hypertrophy of the Left Liver in Patients with Large Tumors in the Right Liver. World J Surg 39, 2031–2036 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-015-3033-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-015-3033-5

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