Too Big to Fail: Volumetric Analyses and Incidence of Posthepatectomy Liver Failure in 125 Major Hepatectomies in Children.

Objective: To assess the incidence of posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) and the role of the future liver remnant (FLR) in children undergoing major hepatectomy.

Background: Incidence and risk factors of PHLF in children are unclear, with no validated definition for this age group. Consequently, the role of the FLR in pediatric hepatectomy and evidence-based preoperative guidelines remains undefined.

Methods: All pediatric patients undergoing major hepatectomy at a tertiary care center over a 10-year study period were analyzed. Preoperative imaging was used for volumetry. The incidence of PHLF was assessed by applying predefined definitions, and the prognostic impact of the FLR on PHLF and complications was evaluated.

Results: A total of 125 children underwent major hepatectomy, including 35 trisectionectomies. There was a strong correlation between imaging-based measured total liver volume (TLV) and calculated standard liver volume ( r = 0.728, P < 0.001). The median TLV-to-body weight (BW) ratio was 3.4%, and the median FLR/BW ratio was 1.5%. The median FLR-to-TLV ratio was 44% (range: 18%-97%). No clinically relevant PHLF occurred. FLR/TLV and FLR/BW ratios had low predictive value for postoperative liver dysfunction and morbidity.

Conclusions: This is the largest reported single-center series of pediatric major hepatectomies. PHLF is exceedingly rare in children. The liver volume-to-BW ratio is higher in children compared with adults, and the FLR is sufficient even in extreme resections with <20% of the liver remnant. These findings strongly question the use of asociating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy, portal vein embolization, or transplantation based on suspected insufficient liver remnants in children.