Precise hepatectomy guided by the middle hepatic vein.

The middle hepatic vein (MHV) lies in the midplane of the liver. The classical teaching of right or left hepatectomy is transection of liver 1 cm to the right or left wall of the MHV in order to avoid bleeding. However, guidance of liver transection is lost if the course of the MHV is not known. By exposing the MHV early in the phase of liver transection and following its course to the inferior vena cava, a precise liver transection plane could be obtained. Such technique has the potential of achieving adequate tumor-free resection margin, avoiding damage to intrahepatic portal pedicles, preserving venous drainage and functional liver tissue, and less postoperative infection.