Child-Pugh Parameters and Platelet Count as an Alternative to ICG Test for Assessing Liver Function for Major Hepatectomy

Objective. To study the correlations and discrepancies between Child-Pugh system and indocyanine green (ICG) clearance test in assessing liver function reserve and explore the possibility of combining two systems to gain an overall liver function assessment. Design. Retrospective analysis of 2832 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients graded as Child-Pugh A and Child-Pugh B with ICG clearance test being performed was conducted. Results. ICG retention rate at 15 minutes (ICG15) correlates with Child-Pugh score, however, with a large variance. Platelet count improves the correlation between Child-Pugh score and ICG15. ICG15 can be estimated using the following regression formula: estimated ICG15 (eICG15) = 45.1