“Anatomical” versus “Territorial” Belonging of the Middle Hepatic Vein: Virtual Imaging and Clinical Repercussions

Background Venous drainage patterns are of vital importance in live donor liver transplantation. The purpose of this study was to delineate “anatomical-topographical” and “territorial-physiologic” patterns of the middle hepatic vein (MHV) in a 3-D liver model as determined by the Pringle line and its drainage volume of the right and left hemilivers. Methods One hundred thirty-seven consecutive live donor candidates were evaluated by 3-D CT reconstructions and virtual hepatectomies. Based on right (R) and left (L), anatomical (A) and territorial (T) belonging patterns of the MHV, each individual was assigned to one of four possible types: type I:AR–TR; type II:AL–TL; type III:AR–TL; type IV:…

Partial or complete mesohepatectomy combined with resection of the hilar bifurcation in cases of Klatskin tumors: a reasonable strategy?