Abstract:

Objective　To explore anatomic data of the anterior lacune between the retrohepatic inferior vena cava (RHIVC) and the liver and extrahepatic vessels, and provide clinical reference for the procedure of hemibepatectomy.　Methods　43 patients were divided into 2 groups. 21 patients underwent selective hepatic vascular exclusion (SHVE) by dissecting the lacune between the RHIVC and the liver, while 22 patients underwent Pringle's hepatic vascular occlusion for hemihepatectomy. Meanwhile, the RHIVC distribution and the number of short hepatic veins (SHVs) were also analyzed during the operation.　Results　For patients of group SHVE, the exploration of the lacune, the isolation and ligation of hepatic artery, hepatic vein, and hepatic portal vein of tumor involved side were smoothly during the process, with no injury of RHIVC or hepatic veins. For all patients who underwent hemihepatectomy, there were 3 to 4 branches of SHVs(44.2%), or 6 to 8(55.6%). For 11.6% patients, the SHVs located at the medial axis of the anterior wall of the lacune between the RHIVC and the liver.　Conclusions　Since there is a potential nonvascular zone at the longitudinal axis of the lacune between the RHIVC and the liver, it is important to anatomize the lacune between the RHIVC and the liver and apply the SHVE technique in giant hepatic carcinoma resection.

Key words: Hepatic carcinoma, Anatomize, Hepatectomy, Clinical research