INFLUENCE OF PREOPERATIVE TRANSCATHETER ARTERIAL CHEMOEMBOLIZATION ON LIVER FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH RESECTABLE LARGE HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA

Objective To explore influence of preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE )on liver function in patients with resectable large hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods 78 patients with resectable large hepatocellular carcinoma were divided into two groups from January 2002 to January 2003, TACE was performed before hepatectomy in 31 out of 78 patients. influence factors of hepatectomy were compared with that of the 47 patients without TACE including preoperative tumor size , liver function alterations, operative factors and postoperative liver function alterations and complications.Result The preoperative γ globulin was higher and postoperative pre albumin was lower in TACE group . Liver cirrhosis and adhesions were more serious in TACE group than in no TACE group, and the operation time was longer in TACE group. There were not significant difference in the average time of clamping porta hepatis, blood loss and postoperative complications in the two groups , and not significant diminution in the average tumor size after TACE in TACE group.Conclusion Preoperative TACE for resectable large HCC damages liver function, increases surgical difficulty and risk , maybe delay operation chance.