Current strategies for predicting post-hepatectomy liver failure and a new ultrasound-based nomogram

World J Gastroenterol. 2024 Oct 21;30(39):4254-4259. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i39.4254.

Abstract

Liver cancer is associated with a few factors, such as viruses and alcohol consumption, and hepatectomy is an important treatment for patients with liver cancer. However, post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is the most serious complication and has a high mortality rate. Effective prediction of PHLF allows for the adjustment of clinical treatment strategies and is critical to the long-term prognosis of patients. Many factors have been associated with the development of PHLF, so there is an increasing interest in the development of predictive models for PHLF, such as nomograms that integrate intra-operative factors, imaging and biochemical characteristics of the patient. Ultrasound, as a simple and important examination method, plays an important role in predicting PHLF, especially the Nomogram established based on ultrasound measurements of liver stiffness and spleen area provides a more convenient way to predict the occurrence of PHLF.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Liver stiffness; Post-hepatectomy liver failure; Spleen area; Ultrasound.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • Hepatectomy* / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Liver Failure* / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Failure* / etiology
  • Liver Failure* / surgery
  • Liver Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Liver* / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver* / surgery
  • Nomograms*
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors
  • Spleen / diagnostic imaging
  • Spleen / surgery
  • Ultrasonography* / methods