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Updated: Aug 16, 2026
08:45
New Thrombectomy Technique for Total Portal Vein Thrombosis in Liver Transplantation
Published on: June 27, 2025
Selective portal vein embolization as introduction in major surgery
Joze Matela1, Zoran Zabavnik, Tomislav Jukić
1Department of Radiology, General Hospital Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia. matela@sb-mb.si
Collegium Antropologicum
|August 25, 2005
Summary
Preoperative portal vein embolization (PPVE) effectively stimulates liver regeneration, increasing remnant liver volume. This procedure expands surgical options for patients with liver tumors, enabling curative resections previously not possible.
Area of Science:
- Hepatobiliary Surgery
- Interventional Radiology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Liver resection is a primary curative treatment for liver tumors.
- Limited future liver remnant (FLR) volume can preclude resection.
- Preoperative portal vein embolization (PPVE) aims to induce hypertrophy of the FLR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of PPVE in inducing liver regeneration.
- To assess the impact of PPVE on surgical candidacy for liver resection.
Main Methods:
- PPVE performed via indirect splenic portography using PVA and Gelfoam particles.
- Remnant liver volume measured by MRI.
- Patient outcomes including complications and surgical resection rates analyzed.
Main Results:
- Significant liver parenchyma hypertrophy observed (8-109% increase in volume).
- 10 out of 13 patients underwent surgical resection post-PPVE.
- Complications included post-embolization syndrome and subcapsular hematoma.
Conclusions:
- PPVE is an effective method to induce significant liver regeneration.
- This technique expands the pool of patients eligible for curative liver resection.
- PPVE enhances the possibility of achieving R0 resection in complex cases.
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