The necessity of hepatic vein reconstruction after resection of cranial part of the liver and major hepatic veins in cirrhotic patients

Background The necessity of hepatic vein reconstruction (HVR) after resection of cranial part of the liver and major hepatic vein(s) in cirrhotic patients when residual liver is insufficient for a major hepatectomy remains unclear. Methods Fifty-two cirrhotic patients who underwent resection of cranial part of the liver and hepatic vein(s) for liver neoplasms were divided retrospectively into 3 groups based on the volume of the congestive area of the remnant liver after hepatectomy: group A, 28 patients, the volume of the congestive area was ≤20% of the residual liver volume and underwent no HVR; group B, 7 patients, the volume of the congestive area was >20% of residual liver volume and underwent no HVR; and group C, 17 patients, in whom HVR was performed (the volume of the congestive area was >20% of residual liver volume in 16 and