Spontaneous portosystemic shunts predict post-hepatectomy liver failure

Analysis of pre-operative CT scans indicated that spontaneous portosystemic shunts (SPSs) were present in 17.4% of patients undergoing liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. Among 425 patients, post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) occurred in 6.4%, with 4% experiencing grades B/C. Multivariable analysis revealed SPS as an independent risk factor for all-grades PHLF (OR 6.83) and clinically significant PHLF (OR 7.92), along with age ≥74 years and low pre-operative platelet counts.