Analysis of risk factors for portal vein thrombosis after liver resection

We evaluated the risk factors for posthepatectomy thrombosis including portal vein thrombosis (PVT) and clinical outcomes.

We retrospectively analyzed 563 patients who had undergone hepatectomy from February 2009 to December 2014. Twenty-nine patients with preoperatively confirmed thrombosis and tumor recurrence-related thrombosis were excluded. We identified the location of the thrombosis as main portal vein (MPV), peripheral portal vein (PPV) and other site such as hepatic vein or inferior vena cava. Patients with MPV thrombosis and PPV thrombosis with main portal flow disturbance were treated with anticoagulation therapy. We performed operative thrombectomy before anticoagulation therapy who did combined portal vein (PV) segmental resection.

Of the 534 patients, 22 (4.1%) developed posthepatectomy thrombosis after hepatectomy. Among them, 19 (86.4%) had PVT. The mean duration of Pringle's maneuver was significant longer in the PVT group than the no-thrombosis group (P = 0.020). Patients who underwent combined PV segmental resection during hepatectomy were more likely to develop posthepatectomy PVT (P = 0.001). Thirteen patients who had MPV thrombosis and PPV thrombosis with main portal flow disturbance received anticoagulation therapy immediately after diagnosis and all of them were improved. Among them, 2 patients who developed PVT at the PV anastomosis site after PV segmental resection, underwent operative thrombectomy before anticoagulation therapy and both were improved. There were no patients who developed complications related to anticoagulation therapy.

Long duration of Pringle's maneuver and PV segmental resection were risk factors. Anticoagulation therapy or operative thrombectomy should be considered for PVT without contraindications.