Pre-operative Portal Vein Embolization
What is Pre-operative Portal Vein Embolization?
Portal vein embolisation (PVE) is a minimally invasive procedure to occlude the blood supply to a part of the liver, prior to resection of a part of the liver. Blocking off the portal vein supply to the part of the liver that is to be removed/resected, causes the rest of the liver to increase in size over a 4-6 weeks period.
Why perform Pre-operative Portal Vein Embolization?
When a patient has part of the liver resected, it is vital that there is enough normal liver left behind to sustain life. This bit of liver is referred to as the future liver remnant – FLR. For some patients, the FLR is too small, so portal vein embolisation is performed about 6 weeks prior to planned liver resection. Blocking off the portal vein supply to the part of the liver that is to be resected (most commonly the right) causes the FLR to increase in size.
How does Pre-operative Portal Vein Embolization work?
This procedure can be done with sedation or general anaesthetic. Using an ultrasound, the interventional radiologist guides a fine needle through the skin into the portal vein. Angiograms are performed to map out the veins, which are then blocked off with a range of materials, including metallic plugs or coils, and glue or PVA particles. Sometimes the hepatic veins may also be blocked off at the same time. Â
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appointments:
For appointment requests, please phone 0497 052 070. For general enquiries, please complete the contact form and a member of the VIRQ team will respond shortly.
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Suite 20, 3 Doherty Street, Birtinya, QLD, 4575, Australia
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Our office is attended Monday - Friday from 9am - 5.30pm.