Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 11, 2026
Laparoscopic Anatomical Liver Segment VII Resection with Liver Parenchymal Transection Following a Priority Approach
Published on: May 23, 2025
Pleural Effusion After Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Risk Factor Analyses and Its Impact on Oncological
Hideaki Uchiyama1, Norifumi Harimoto2, Shinji Itoh2
1Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3-1-1, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan. huchi@surg2.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp.
Background:
Although posthepatectomy pleural effusion (PHPE) is a commonly observed phenomenon, its precise etiology and the impact of its emergence on oncological outcomes have still unknown. The aim of the current study was to retrospectively investigate risk factors for PHPE and its impact on oncological outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods:
Medical records of 330 patients who underwent primary curative hepatectomy for HCC were reviewed. All 330 patients had CT around day 7 after hepatectomy, and the emergence of PHPE on CT was examined. Presumed 38 risk factors for the emergence of PHPE and already-known 9 risk factors together with PHPE for HCC recurrence and patient death after hepatectomy were analyzed.
Results:
The overall incidence of PHPE was 54.5% (180/330). One hundred seventy-nine and 38 out of the 180 patients had right-sided PHPE and left-sided PHPE, respectively. The independent risk factors for right-sided PHPE were hepatitis B or C back ground, lower preoperative white blood cell count, larger intraoperative blood loss, longer operation time, subcostal incision, and longer total inflow occlusion time, while the only independent risk factor for left-sided PHPE was longer operation time. Left-sided PHPE was testified to be one of the independent risk factors not only for HCC recurrence but also for patient death.
Conclusions:
Although the cause of PHPE after hepatectomy might be multifactorial, the emergence of left-sided PHPE is a portent of worse oncological outcomes after curative hepatectomy for HCC and patients with left-sided PHPE need close follow-ups.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Pleural Effusion II: Symptoms and Management
A pleural effusion is the abnormal collection of fluid between the parietal and visceral pleura layers of tissue that form the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. It can occur independently or due to surrounding parenchymal diseases, such as infection, malignancy, or inflammatory conditions.
Clinical Manifestations:
01:25Pleural Effusion I: Introduction
There are two main types of pleural effusion: transudative and exudative. They are differentiated using Light's...
01:27Pneumothorax-II
Clinical Manifestations:
01:30Endoscopic Studies I: Bronchoscopy and Thoracoscopy
Bronchoscopy
Description
Bronchoscopy is a procedure that involves direct visualization of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. A flexible fiber optic or rigid bronchoscope is used to carry out the procedure. The fiber-optic bronchoscope is more frequently used due...
01:26Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...