Resectability and functional reserve of the liver with obstructive jaundice in dogs.

Fifty-five dogs were used to evaluate the resectability of the liver with obstructive jaundice. Cholecystectomy and ligation of the distal common bile duct were used to produce obstructive jaundice. It was found that 40 per cent of the liver with obstructive jaundice was resectable with biliary decompression 2 weeks after ligation. At 1 week after induction of obstructive jaundice, 70 per cent hepatectomy with biliary decompression may be tolerated with careful postoperative management. From serum chemical studies it was found that if the serum albumin level was below 2.0 g/dl, 60 per cent of the dogs died after 40 per cent hepatectomy and all died after 70 per cent hepatectomy. From the standpoint of hepatic functional reserve 40 per cent hepatectomy is successful if the maximal removal rate of indocyanine green is above 0.14 mg/kg/min. Hepatic functional reserve is reliable for predicting the risk of hepatectomy, and it correlates well with the rate of hepatic regeneration after hepatectomy.