Background. Portal vein embolization (PVE) is an accepted method to preoperatively increase the future remnant liver . There are no studies that describe the influence of PVE on postoperative liver regeneration. Aim. To assess the effect of preoperative PVE on liver volume and function 3 months after major liver resection. Methods. Retrospective case-control study. Data were collected of patients who had undergone PVE prior to (extended) right hemihepatectomy and of control patients who had undergone the same resection without prior PVE. Remnant liver volume was measured by CT volumetry before PVE, 3 weeks after PVE, and 3 months after liver resection. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HBS) using the uptake rate of 99mTc-mebrofenin has been introduced for non-invasive assessment of liver function. This test was used for initial assessment of liver function before and 3 months after liver resection. Results. Ten patients were included in the PVE group and 13 in the control group. Groups were comparable for gender, age, and number of patients with a compromised liver. The mean ± SD future remnant liver volume was 33.0 ± 8.0 % prior to PVE in the PVE group and 45.6 ± 9.1 % in the control group (p<0.01). HBS showed no significant differences in total liver function prior to PVE or resection. Three months postoperatively the mean remnant liver volume was 81.9 ± 8.9% of the initial total liver volume in the PVE group and 79.4 ± 11.0% in the control group (n.s.). Function of the remnant liver was also not different in both groups and increased up to 88.1 ± 17.4% and 83.3 ± 14% of initial total liver function, respectively (n.s.).Conclusion. Regeneration of the remnant liver 3 months after major liver resection is not hampered after preoperative PVE.