Combined portal and hepatic vein embolisation in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: Major hepatectomy in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) patients with a small future liver remnant (FLR) risks posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF). This study examines combined portal and hepatic vein embolisation (PVE/HVE) to increase preoperative FLR volume and potentially decrease PHLF rates. METHODS: In this retrospective, multicentre, observational study, data was collected from centres affiliated with the DRAGON Trials Collaborative and the EuroLVD registry. The study included pCCA patients who underwent PVE/HVE between July 2016 and January 2023. RESULTS: Following PVE/HVE, 28% of patients (9/32) experienced complications, with 22% (7/32) necessitating biliary interventions for cholangitis. The median degree of hypertrophy after a median of 16 days was 16% with a kinetic growth rate of 6.8% per week. 69% of patients (22/32) ultimately underwent surgical resection. Cholangitis after PVE/HVE was associated with unresectability. After resection, 55% of patients (12/22) experienced complications, of which 23% (5/22) were Clavien-Dindo grade III or higher. The 90-day mortality after resection was 0%. CONCLUSION: PVE/HVE quickly enhances the kinetic growth rate in pCCA patients. Cholangitis impairs chances on resection significantly. Resection after PVE/HVE is associated with low levels of 90-day mortality. The study highlights the potential of PVE/HVE in improving safety and outcomes in pCCA undergoing resection.