Objective To explore the application of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with selective portal vein embolization (SPVE ) in two-stage hepatectomy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods From September 2010 to September 2013,a total of 107 patients with HCC in the right liver lobe who were not suitable for one stage hepatectomy received TACE or TACE combined with SPVE treatment were enrolled.Among them,55 received TACE therapy and 52 accepted TACE combined with SPVE treatment.The technique success rate,complication,adverse reactions,the volume change of each liver lobe and the rate of hepatectomy of HCC were observed.Chi-square test was used for numerical data comparison and Student′s t test for measurement data.Results TACE or TACE combined with SPVE therapy was successfully applied in all the 107 patients,the technique success rate was 100%.During treatment period,no complications such as ectopic embolization, liver function failure,puncture tract bleeding,gastrointestinal bleeding,bile leakage and hepatic abscess were observed.After treatment,the adverse reactions included liver function impairment,pain in hepatic region,fever,nausea and vomiting.Four weeks after the treatment,the volumes of tumor and right liver lobe decreased to certain degree in patients with HCC of both TACE group and TACE combined with SPVE group.The volume of left liver lobe in TACE group had no obvious change,while remarkably increased in TACE combined with SPVE group.The pre-treatment residual liver volume (RLV)of TACE group and TACE combined with SPVE group was (404.0 ± 46.3 )cm3 and (393.9 ± 65 .7 )cm3 , respectively,and the difference was not statistically significant (t=0.927,P =0.356).Four weeks after the treatment,RLV was (415.4 ±45.7 )cm3 and (567.3 ±88.7 )cm3 ,respectively,and the difference was statistically significant (t= -11 .219,P <0.05).Patients were followed up for three to six months,the rates of hepatectomy were 38.2%(21/55)and 86.5 %(45/52)in TACE group and TACE combined with SPVE group,and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 =26.440,P <0.01 ).Conclusion For patients with HCC not suitable for one stage hepatectomy,the treatment of TACE combined with SPVE before operation could effectively control the growth of the tumor,decrease the volume of tumor,increase RLV,and then increase the rate of two-stage hepatectomy.

Objective To study multimodal analgesia in patients who underwent transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods 60 patients who underwent TACE for HCC from Aug.2016 to Nov.2016 were randomized into two groups:the multimodal analgesia group and the control group.The pain scores of these two groups of patient during the procedure and at different posttreatment time points,and the rates of adverse effect and pharmacoeconomic differences were recorded.Results When compared to the control group,the pain scores at 0 h,2 h,4 h,6 h,12 h after treatment in the multimodal analgesia group were significantly lower (P ＜ 0.05),and the satisfactory scores for the patients were significantly improved (96.6％ vs.66.7％).The multimodal group of patients also had significandy lower adverse effect rates of nausea and vomiting,and it was more cost-effective.Conclusions Patients who required multimodal analgesia had better pain relieve,patient satisfaction and less adverse reactions after TACE than patients in the control group.Multimodal analgesia was a safe,effective and economic way to control TACE pain and it was worth recommended in clinical practice.

Objective To evaluate the safety and clinical short-term efficacy of interventional emboliz-ation with hepasphere-loaded microspheres in treating inoperable hepatocellular carcinomas. Methods A total of 15 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization ( TACE ) using hepasphere-loaded microspheres as embolic agent . The clinical data , imaging follow-up materials, complications of interventional treatment, prognosis, etc. were summarized and analyzed. The results were evaluated with modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (mRECIST); monthly follow-up was made for all patients. A total of 23 TACE procedures were performed in 15 patients. Results The following-up period ranged from 6 months to 15 months , the median follow-up time being 10 months . According to mRECIST, the 3-month objective response rate (CR+PR) was 73.3% and disease control rate (CR+PR+SD) was 93.3%;the 6-month objective response rate (CR+PR) was 73.3%and the disease control rate (CR+PR+SD) was 86.7%. No severe complications, such as bile leak complicated by infection, liver abscess, abdominal hemorrhage, bleeding due to tumor rupture, gastrointestinal bleeding, etc. occurred in all patients . Conclusion In treating unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas , TACE using newly-developed hepasphere microspheres carries satisfactory clinical short-term efficacy and safety, although thelog-term results need to be further investigated with larger sample trial.

Immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy can benefit the survival of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Atezolizumab combined with bevacizumab has achieved remarkable efficacy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, but the efficacy of conversion therapy in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma still needs more evidences. The authors report the clinical efficacy of a case of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma with hepatitis B virus related liver cirrhosis who was treated with immunotherapy plus targeted therapy combined with local treatment. Results show a good effect in patient without tumor recurrence after postoperative 9 months.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of shunt after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in liver cirrhosis accompanied with portal vein thrombosis (PVT).Methods:Forty-four cases with liver cirrhosis accompanied with PVT who underwent TIPS treatment from January 2015 to May 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical baseline data of the patients were collected. Portal vein pressure gradient (PVPG) before and after the surgery was recorded. Shunt patency was observed at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after the surgery. The influencing factors were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis.Results:Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was successfully established in all 44 cases. The postoperative PVPG was lower than preoperative ( P < 0.01). The shunt patency rate after TIPS in PVT was 18.2% ( n = 8). The cumulative shunt patency rates at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after surgery were 95.5%, 90.7%, 90.7%, 86.8% and 74.4%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that diabetes history, platelet level and prothrombin time-international normalized ratio were associated with postoperative shunt dysfunction. Multivariate analysis showed that diabetes history ( P = 0.007, OR = 28.606) was an independent risk factor for postoperative shunt dysfunction. Conclusion:TIPS is a safe and feasible procedure, which can effectively reduce the portal pressure in liver cirrhosis accompanied with PVT. Diabetic patients have a higher risk of postoperative shunt dysfunction. Therefore, clinical intervention should be strengthened for high-risk patients.

Refractory ascites is one of the common complications of portal hypertension in decompensated liver cirrhosis and is characterized by extremely poor prognosis and high mortality rate. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is recommended by several international and national guidelines as one of the treatment methods after failure of large volume paracentesis combined protein infusion therapy. TIPS can effectively control the recurrence of ascites, but it can increase the risk of hepatic encephalopathy, and there are still controversies over whether it can prolong survival time. With a deeper understanding of TIPS, the maturity of surgical techniques, and the update of stent materials, it is urgent to reevaluate the position of TIPS in the treatment of refractory ascites due to portal hypertension. This article reviews the current status and advances in TIPS for the treatment of refractory ascites due to portal hypertension.