Abstract
Tumor emboli of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the portal trunk that broke away during surgery were successfully removed by a Fogarty catheter. A 48-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of a 12cm HCC in the right lobe of the liver. The mass had advanced into the right portal vein and inferior vena cava. Therefore, under total hepatic vascular exclusion, right hepatic trisegmentectomy was performed by the anterior approach. Although hepatic procedures were initially done, discoloration of the lateral segment of the liver was noticed during surgery. Intraoperative ultrasonography disclosed tumor emboli in the portal branch. Venotomy was performed on the transverse portion of the portal vein and a Fogarty catheter was inserted. The tumor emboli were successfully removed and the discoloration was immediately disappeared.