Zu den Inhalten springen
International Medical Services Department

Kontextnavigation:

  • .
Home › Medical Services › Clinics and departments › General and Visceral Surgery › In-situ liver splitting

In-situ liver splitting

The In-situ splitting (ISS) procedure is an advanced surgical technique used to treat certain types of liver disease. 

What is ISS? 

ISS is a state-of the art two-stage liver surgery designed to remove e.g. extensive liver tumors that would otherwise be considered inoperable, which is routinely performed in our highly specialized University Medical Center Freiburg.

How does ISS work? 

The ISS procedure works by encouraging rapid growth of the healthy part of your liver, allowing for the removal of a larger portion of the diseased liver than would typically be possible. 

It's performed in two stages: 

  • Stage 1: The surgeon divides your liver into two sections - the part with tumors and the healthy part. They also tie off the blood supply to the diseased portion.
  • Waiting Period: Over the next 10 days, the healthy part of your liver grows rapidly.
  • Stage 2: Once the healthy liver has grown sufficiently, you'll have a second surgery to remove the diseased portion of the liver. 

Why might ISS be recommended? 

You have extensive liver tumors that cannot be removed safely with standard surgery.

Your remaining healthy liver would be too small to function properly after standard tumor removal.

What are the potential benefits? 

ISS can make surgery possible for patients who would otherwise have inoperable liver conditions. It allows for faster liver growth compared to other techniques, potentially reducing the risk of tumor progression between surgeries. 

What to expect? 

If you're a candidate for ISS, you'll undergo extensive evaluation including blood tests and imaging studies. The procedure requires two separate surgeries about 1-2 weeks apart. You'll need to stay in the hospital for monitoring between surgeries. 

Is ISS right for you? 

The decision to undergo ISS is complex and depends on many factors including your overall health, the extent of your liver disease, and your personal preferences. Our highly expertized surgical team will discuss all options with you to help you make an informed decision.