Preoperative indocyanine green (ICG) clearance test: Can we really trust it to predict post hepatectomy liver failure? A systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy

Introduction: Post hepatectomy liver failure (PHFL) still represents a potentially fatal complication after major liver resection. Indocyanine green (ICG) clearance test represents one of the most widely adopted examinations in the preoperative workup. Despite a copious body of evidence which has been published on this topic, the role of ICG in predicting PHLF is still a matter of debate.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted according to PRISMA-DTA guidelines. The primary outcome was the assessment of diagnostic performance of ICG in predicting PHLF. The secondary outcome was the mean ICG_R15 and ICG_PDR in patients experiencing PHLF.

Results: Seventeen studies, for a total of 4852 patients, were deemed eligible. Sensitivity ranged from 25% to 83%; Specificity ranged from 66.1% to 93.8%. ICG clearance test pooled AUC was 0.673 (95% CI: 0.632-0.713). The weighted mean ICG_R15 was 11 (95%CI: 8.3-13.7). The weighted mean ICG_PDR was 16.5 (95%CI: 13.3-19.8). High risk of bias was detected in all examined domains.

Conclusions: Preoperative ICG clearance test alone may not represent a reliable method to predict post hepatectomy liver failure. Its diagnostic significance should be framed within multiparametric models involving clinical and imaging features.