Splenic artery ligation ameliorates postoperation liver function in HCC who underwent hepatectomy

Background: Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is one of the leading causes of death in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCCs). Our reaserch aim to analyze the hepatectomy combined with splenic artery ligation on postoperation liver function recovery in HCCs. We hypothesized that the hepatectomy combined with splenic artery ligation can accelerated postoperative recovery without increasing the risk of surgery. Methods: ： 75 HCC patients were included in our study, 62 patients underwent liver resection (LR), 13 patients underwent hepatectomy combined with splenic artery ligation group (HSAL). We compared the liver function and complications in LR and HSAL group post operatation. Results: ： There were no statistically significant differences in sex and other parameters pre-operative between LR and HSAL group. There were statistically significant differences between two groups in the ALT, bilirubin, PT on the 3-day, and the bilirubin, PT on the 5-day postoperation (P<0.05). The complications and mortality between the two groups had no differences. Our findings indicated that HSAL promotes liver function recovery and is safe and reliable for HCCs. Interestingly, we found that patients are more likely to occurs PHLF who had spleen volume over 639 cm 3 , and spleen volume is a factor to select patients who are suitable for HSAL. Conclusions: ： We conclude that HSLA can significantly promote postoperative liver function recovery and reduce the risk of PHLF who had excessive spleen volume.