Percutaneous Radio-frequency Assisted Liver Partition with Portal vein embolization in Staged liver resection (PRALPPS) in patients with perihilar and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: evaluation of short-term results

Radiosurgical interventions in the prevention of post-resection liver failure

Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous ALPPS as a method for preventing post-resection liver failure.

Materials and methods. The methodology involved a retrospective study of the results of portovenous embolization and percutaneous radiofrequency assisted liver partition with portal vein embolization (PRALLPS), in case of the future liver volume <40% . The degree of hypertrophy of the future liver remnant and its rate were assessed in two groups. Complications of manipulation and frequency of postresection hepatic failure were studied.

Results. In the first stage, portenous embolization was successfully performed in 38 patients and PRALLPS was successfully performed in 47 patients. In the second stage, liver resection was performed in 27 (71.1%) and 33 (70%) patients. The most frequent complication of PRALLPS was bile accumulation in the radiofrequency ablation area (13.1%). The incidence of other complications of the first stage did not differ between groups. No differences in blood loss or incidence of liver failure were reported after the second stage. No fatal outcomes reported. The mean degree of hypertrophy and growth did not differ between the groups. The mean time of hypertrophy of the future liver remnant after percutaneous radiofrequency assisted partition of the parenchyma with portal vein embolization and portenous embolization was 13 ± 5 and 18 ± 7 days (p = 0.008).

Conclusion. The results of percutaneous radiofrequency assisted liver partition with portal vein embolization are comparable in terms of safety with those of portenous embolization. Radiofrequency partition of the parenchyma with portal vein embolization enables optimal hypertrophy of the future liver remnant to be achieved faster.