Liver stiffness measured by virtual touch quantification predicts the occurrence of posthepatectomy refractory ascites in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: This study assessed the significance of measuring liver stiffness using virtual touch quantification before hepatectomy to predict posthepatectomy refractory ascites.

Methods: A total of 267 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent hepatectomy were prospectively analyzed. Liver stiffness was defined as the median value of the virtual touch quantification (Vs; m/s) by acoustic radio-force-impulse-based virtual touch.

Results: A multivariate analysis showed that Vs and the aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index were independent risk factors for postoperative refractory ascites (odds ratio = 3.27 and 3.08, respectively). The cutoff value for Vs was 1.52 m/s (sensitivity: 59.5%, specificity: 88.6%) as determined by the analysis of the receiver-operating characteristic curve, and the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve was 0.79. The cutoff value for the aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio was 0.952 (sensitivity: 65.5%, specificity: 82.9%), and the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve was 0.75.

Conclusions: Vs is an independent risk factor for refractory ascites after hepatectomy. The measurement of liver stiffness by virtual touch quantification before hepatectomy can help estimate the risk of postoperative refractory ascites. Nonsurgical treatments should be considered for the management of patients who are at high risk for refractory ascites.