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Remnant Liver Volume to Body Weight (RLV to BW) Ratio in a Patient Undergoing Partial Hepatectomy

Description

A partial hepatectomy may need to be done to remove a cancer or to control bleeding after trauma. Removal of too much liver may be followed by complications and death. The ratio the liver volume after surgery to the patient's body weight can help to decide if a planned resection is safe or hazardous.


 

Patient selection: partial hepatectomy in a patient with the uninvolved liver normal

 

Parameters:

(1) body weight of the patient in kilograms

(2) residual liver volume (RLV) in mL

 

RLV to body weight ratio in percent =

= (residual liver volume) / ((body weight in kilograms) *1000) * 100%

 

where:

• An obvious question is whether or not the use of ideal vs actual body weight makes any difference.

 

Interpretation:

• A ratio > 0.5% is associated with a low risk of postoperative complications.

• A ratio <= 0.5% is associated with a high risk of postoperative complications.

 


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Specialty

ICD-10