Hepatic dearterialization for nonrespectable primary and secondary tumors of the liver

Seventeen patients with primary or secondary liver tumors were treated by dearterialization of the liver and intraportal infusion of cytotoxic drugs. In 14 cases, ligation of the main (10), right and left (1), right and middle (1), and right (2) hepatic arteries was performed. In three in whom hepatic artery ligation was considered to be contraindicated due to occlusion of the portal vein, temporary occlusion of the hepatic artery was repeated postoperatively. Only one patient died from the cause related to the ligation. Out of 14 patients who survived for more than one month ten showed an apparent regression of tumors radiologically. The mean survival period of the patients excluding those who died from other unrelated causes was 28 weeks. That of the control patients who received only chemotherapy through the hepatic artery was 13 weeks. The results were not always satisfactory, but dearterialization of the liver can be a palliative treatment for nonresectable liver tumors with a forceful combined chemotherapy.