Liver Function Assessment Using Technetium 99m-Galactosyl Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography/CT Fusion Imaging: A Prospective Trial

In Brief BACKGROUND: The prediction of postoperative liver function remains a largely subjective practice based on CT volumetric analysis. However, future liver volume after a hepatectomy is not the only factor that contributes to postoperative liver function and outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: In this prospective trial, 185 consecutive patients who underwent liver operations between 2014 and 2015 were studied. Volumetric and functional rates of remnant liver were measured using technetium 99m-galactosyl human serum albumin single-photon emission computed tomography/CT fusion imaging to evaluate post-hepatectomy remnant liver function. Remnant indocyanine green clearance rate using galactosyl (KGSA) (KGSA × functional rate) was used to predict future remnant liver function. Hepatectomy was considered safe for patients with remnant KGSA values ≥0.05, and the primary end point was to determine the accuracy and reliability of this criteria. The prediction of the 90-day major complication and mortality rates was assessed. RESULTS: Median hospital stay was 9 days and median ICU stay was 1 day, with only 1 in-hospital death (90-day mortality rate 0.5%). Overall morbidity rate evaluated according to the Clavien-Dindo classification was 9%. For post-hepatectomy liver failure definitions, the International Study Group of Liver Surgery definition was fulfilled in 14 patients (8%), with the majority being grade B (50%), compared with 2 patients (1%) fulfilling the “50-50” criteria, and 0 patients (0%) fulfilling the PeakBili >7 criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study showed that remnant KGSA provided information that allowed us to predict remnant liver function. This information will be important for surgeons when deciding on a treatment plan for patients with liver diseases. (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02013895). This is the first prospective study evaluating whether the assessment of a patient's liver function using technetium 99m-diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid-galactosyl human serum albumin is sufficient to support a hepatectomy. This assessment shows promise as a new evaluating post-hepatectomy liver function tool that can assist surgeons in deciding which patients will benefit from operation.