Liver resection with right hepatic vein reconstruction using the internal jugular vein: a case report

Background: The role of hepatectomy for malignant liver tumors has expanded during the past decades, and vascular reconstruction during liver resection is sometimes necessary to achieve curative surgery.

Case presentation: We report a case of liver resection in a 54-year-old male who had liver metastasis that invaded the right hepatic vein. He had undergone laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer. Six months later, liver metastasis was detected. After the reduction of the tumor by preoperative chemotherapy, liver resection with right hepatic vein reconstruction using his own internal jugular vein graft was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged 8 days after the surgery.

Conclusions: Internal jugular vein grafts are superior to other types of vascular grafts for vascular reconstruction in liver surgery.