[en] Preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) has become an important tool in the management of selected patients with hepatic cancer before the major hepatic resection is carried out. PVE can redirect the portal flow to the intended future remnant liver tissue in order to induce the hypertrophy of the non-diseased portion of the liver and thereby may reduce the occurrence of complications and shorten the hospitalization days after surgery. This article aims to review the technical and clinical considerations in performing PVE and to discuss the PVE-related practical points, including the relevant anatomy, the access approach,the choosing of embolic agents and the pathophysiology of PVE. In addition, the indications and contraindications for performing PVE, the use of combination therapies and the concern for tumor growth after PVE are also discussed. (authors)