Landmarks to identify segmental borders of the liver: A review prepared for PAM-HBP expert consensus meeting 2021

Impact of anatomical liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in preventing early-phase local recurrence after surgery

BACKGROUND

The superiority of anatomical liver resection (AR) for localized hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) over nonanatomical liver resection (NR) remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the impact of AR in preventing local and early HCC recurrence.

METHODS

A total of 280 patients who underwent initial liver resection for solitary HCC ≤5 cm in diameter were categorized into the AR and NR groups and compared using propensity score matching analysis.

RESULTS

Between the matched pairs (n = 87 in each group), the incidence rates of local and early (recurrence within 2 years after surgery) recurrences in the AR group were significantly lower than those in the NR group (13.8% vs. 28.7%, p = .025; 20.7% vs. 35.6%, p = .028, respectively). The overall survival in the AR group was better than that in the NR group (median: 13.4 vs. 7.6 years, p = .003). NR was among independent risk factors for early recurrence (odds ratio: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.1-3.6, p = .023) and prognostic factors for local recurrence (hazard ratio: 2.44, 95% CI: 1.4-4.4, p = .003).

CONCLUSION

AR is superior in controlling local and early recurrence postoperatively for solitary HCC ≤5 cm in diameter compared with NR.

Indocyanine green fluorescence image-guided laparoscopic anatomical S2/3 resection using the TICGL technique

BACKGROUND

Segment 2/3 (S2/3) resection, which can preserve more residual liver parenchyma, is a feasible alternative to left lateral sectionectomy. However, it is still challenging to perform anatomical S2/3 resection safely and precisely, especially laparoscopically. This study was designed to evaluate the safety and accuracy of the temporary inflow control of the Glissonean pedicle (TICGL) technique combined with indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging in laparoscopic anatomical S2/3 resection.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 12 patients recruited at Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University from June 2021 to August 2022 were included in the study. All patients underwent ICG fluorescence imaging guided laparoscopic anatomical S2/3 resection. The TICGL technique was used to control the blood inflow of the target segment. The total time used to control the hepatic inflow of the target segment, the time of hemostasis, the amount of intraoperative blood loss, predicted resected liver volume (PRLV) and actual resected liver volume (ARLV) were used to evaluate the simplicity, safety, and accuracy of the TICGL technique combined ICG fluorescent imaging in guiding laparoscopic anatomical S2/3 resection.

RESULTS

Of the 12 included patients, 7 underwent S2 resection and 5 underwent S3 resection. The operation time was 76.92 ± 11.95 min, the intraoperative blood loss was 15.42 ± 5.82 ml, and the time of hepatic blood inflow control was 7.42 ± 2.43 min. There was a strong correlation between PRLV and ARLV (r = 0.903, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The combination of the TICGL technique with ICG negative staining fluorescence imaging is a feasible approach for laparoscopic anatomical S2/3 resection.

Correlation Between Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Patterns and Grade of Differentiation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Western Prospective Cohort Study

Background. Most of the available evidence on the use of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence in clinical practice consists of articles published by surgeons of the Asian-Pacific area. We performed a prospective cohort study to assess the patterns of ICG fluorescence in Western hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) counterparts.Methods. From April 2019 to January 2022, a total of 31 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for superficial HCC were enrolled in this prospective study. All patients underwent laparoscopic staging with both laparoscopic ultrasound (LUS) and ICG fluorescence imaging.Results. A total of 38 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) were enrolled: 23 superficial (surfacing at the liver's Glissonian capsule), 5 exophytic, 5 shallow (<8 mm from the hepatic surface) and 5 deep (>10 mm from the hepatic surface). The detection rate with preoperative imaging (abdominal CT/MRI), LUS, ICG fluorescence and combined modalities (ICG and LUS) was 97.4%, 94.9%, 89.7% and 100%, respectively. The five deep seated lesions underwent ultrasound-guided laparoscopic thermal ablation. The other 33 HCCs were treated with minimally invasive liver resection. Intraoperative ultrasound patterns were registered for each single nodule resected. The ICG fluorescence pattern was classified in two types: total fluorescence (all the tumoral tissue showed strong and homogeneous fluorescence), n = 9/33 (27.3%), and non-total fluorescence (partial and rim fluorescence), n = 24/33 (72.7%). There was a statistical correlation between ICG patterns and grade of differentiation. Almost all lesions with uniform fluorescence pattern were well-differentiated HCCs (G1-G2), while partial and rim-type fluorescence pattern were more common among moderately and poorly differentiated HCCs (G3-G4) (88.9% vs 11.1%, 37.5% vs 62.5%, P = .025, respectively).Conclusions. ICG fluorescence imaging could be used to identify early the grade of HCC, ie intraoperatively, thus influencing the intraoperative treatment.

Reappraisal of anatomical liver resection for hepatoblastoma in children

Background

The principle of hepatoblastoma (HB) treatment is complete resection. The removal of tumor-bearing section(s) or hemiliver is widely accepted. However, neither the standardized anterior approach for right hepatectomy nor parenchymal sparing anatomical liver resection has been described for HB.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical course of two pediatric HB patients who underwent extended right hepatectomy using the anterior approach with the liver hanging maneuver and one who underwent parenchymal sparing anatomical liver resection of S4 apical+S8 ventral/dorsal+S7. The critical aspects of surgical techniques are described in detail.

Results

In all three patients, R0 resection was achieved without complications and are currently alive without recurrence after an average follow-up of 23 months. Intraoperative cardiac hemodynamics were stable, even in a trisomy 18 patient with cardiac disease.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that these innovative techniques established in adults are safe and feasible for HB in children. These techniques also allow optimal anatomical liver resection to accomplish curative surgery while maintaining the functional reserve of the remnant liver.

Laparoscopic Anatomical Liver Resection of Segment VIII by Using ICG Fluorescence Positive Staining Under the Guidance of Laparoscopic Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND

Anatomical segmentectomy is a surgical procedure that completely removes a territory (or territories) of the third-order portal venous branches of a Couinaud segment (Wakabayashi et al. in J Hepatobil Pancreat Sci 29(1):82-98, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1002/jhbp.899 ). Laparoscopic segmentectomy of S8 is considered technically challenging because of the Precise dissection of the Glissonean pedicle of S8, and exposure of the middle and right hepatic veins are required (Ome et al. in J Am Coll Surg 230(3):e13-e20, 2020; Wakabayashi et al. in Ann Surg 261(4):619-29, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1097/sla.0000000000001184 ; Monden et al. in J Hepatobil Pancreat Sci 29(1):66-81, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1002/jhbp.898 ). This report describes a new approach, which can reduce unwanted damage to normal tissues and complications.

METHODS

A 53-year-old man who has suffered from hepatitis B for 10 years was admitted for the treatment of two nodular tumors located in segment VIII. The surgical procedure began with the percutaneous injection of 5 mL, 0.025 mg/mL of ICG into the S8 portal branch by using an 18G PTCD needle under the guidance of laparoscopic ultrasound (Xu et al. in Surg Endosc 34(10):4683-4691, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-020-07691-5 ; Wang et al. in Ann Surg 274(1):97-106, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1097/sla.0000000000004718 ; Aoki et al. in J Am Coll Surg 230(3):e7-e12, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2019.11.004 ), followed by liver transection on the cranial side of the liver, which used the ICG fluorescence images for exposing the roots of the middle and right hepatic veins and dissecting and ligating S8 portal pedicle. The excision specimen was sent for histopathological diagnosis.

RESULTS

It took 200 min for the operation and 60 min for the total Pringle maneuver. The estimate of blood loss was 110 mL. The final histopathologic results of the two nodules were hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The patient was discharged on postoperative Day 6 with no complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic anatomical liver resection of S8 has been demonstrated to be feasible. Under the guidance of laparoscopic ultrasonography, ICG positive staining was proven to be optimal for Anatomical segmentectomy.

Study of the Intersegmental Veins Between S5 and S8 Based on 3D Reconstruction

BACKGROUND

Anatomic resection (AR) is a surgical method for treating hepatocellular carcinoma, and identifying intersegmental planes between segments 5 (S5) and 8 (S8) remains challenging. This study aims to find reliable intersegmental veins (IVs) between them as anatomical landmarks using 3D reconstruction analysis.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 57 patients who underwent multidetector-row CT scans from September 2021 to January 2023. The portal vein watershed of S5 and S8 and hepatic veins were reconstructed using 3D reconstruction analysis software. We counted and analyzed the IVs running within the intersegmental plane between S5 and S8, examined their features, and analyzed the location of the junctions between IVs and middle hepatic veins (MHVs).

RESULTS

Among the 57 patients, 43 patients (75.4%) had IVs between S5 and S8. Most patients (81.4%) had a single IV joining the MHV, while 13.9% had two IVs, one joining the MHV and the other joining the right hepatic vein (RHV). The majority of IV-MHV junctions were found in the lower part of the MHVs. The most clearly identifiable junctions between the IVs and MHVs occurred slightly below the midpoint of the horizontal planes of the second hepatic portal and the center of the gallbladder bed.

CONCLUSION

Our study identified IVs between S5 and S8 in the liver as potential anatomical landmarks during AR for hepatocellular carcinoma surgery. We found three types of IVs and provided insights on how to locate their junctions with MHVs for easier surgical navigation. However, individual anatomical variations must be considered, and preoperative 3D reconstruction and personalized surgical planning are crucial for success. More research with larger sample sizes is needed to validate our findings and establish the clinical significance of these IVs as landmarks for AR.

Comparing the accuracy of positive and negative indocyanine green staining in guiding laparoscopic anatomical liver resection: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Knowledge of the clinical liver anatomy has evolved with advanced imaging modalities and laparoscopic surgery. Therefore, precise anatomical resection knowledge has become the standard treatment for primary and secondary liver cancer. Segmentectomy, a parenchymal-preserving approach, is regarded as an option for anatomical resections in patients with impaired liver. Indocyanine green (ICG) staining is a promising method for understanding the anatomical borders of the liver segments. There are two methods of ICG staining (positive and negative), and the superiority of either approach has not been determined to date.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This is a prospective randomised controlled superiority clinical trial performed in a single centre tertiary hospital in Japan. A comparison between the accuracy of positive and negative ICG staining in guiding laparoscopic anatomical liver resection is planned in this study. Possible candidates are patients with liver malignant tumours in whom laparoscopic monosegmentectomy or subsegmentectomy is planned. Fifty patients will be prospectively allocated into the following two groups: group A, ICG-negative staining group, and group B, ICG-positive staining group. The optimal dose of ICG for positive staining will be determined during the preparation phase. To assess the ability of the ICG fluorescence guidance in anatomical resection, the primary endpoint is the success rate of ICG staining, which consists of a SOS based on three components: superficial demarcation in the liver surface, visualisation of the parenchymal borders and consistency with the preoperative three-dimensional simulation. The secondary endpoints are the evaluation of short-term surgical outcomes and recurrence-free survival.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study was approved by Ageo Central General Hospital Clinical Research Ethical Committee (No: 1044) and it carried out following the Declaration of Helsinki (2013 revision). Informed consent will be taken from the patients before participating. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, scientific meetings and conferences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

UMIN000049815.

Use of Near-Infrared Fluorescence Techniques in Minimally Invasive Surgery for Colorectal Liver Metastases

Colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) afflict a significant proportion of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), ranging from 25% to 30% of patients throughout the course of the disease. In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in the application of near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging as an intraoperative imaging technique for liver surgery. The utilisation of NIRF-guided liver surgery, facilitated by the administration of fluorescent dye indocyanine green (ICG), has gained traction in numerous medical institutions worldwide. This innovative approach aims to enhance lesion differentiation and provide valuable guidance for surgical margins. The use of ICG, particularly in minimally invasive surgery, has the potential to improve lesion detection rates, increase the likelihood of achieving R0 resection, and enable anatomically guided resections. However, it is important to acknowledge the limitations of ICG, such as its low specificity. Consequently, there has been a growing demand for the development of tumour-specific fluorescent probes and the advancement of camera systems, which are expected to address these concerns and further refine the accuracy and reliability of intraoperative fluorescence imaging in liver surgery. While NIRF imaging has been extensively studied in patients with CRLM, it is worth noting that a significant proportion of published research has predominantly focused on the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we present a comprehensive literature review of the existing literature pertaining to intraoperative fluorescence imaging in minimally invasive surgery for CRLM. Moreover, our analysis places specific emphasis on the techniques employed in liver resection using ICG, with a focus on tumour detection in minimal invasive surgery (MIS). Additionally, we delve into recent developments in this field and offer insights into future perspectives for further advancements.

Hepatic Vein-Guided Approach in Laparoscopic Anatomic Liver Resection of the Ventral and Dorsal Parts of Segment 8

Laparoscopic ventral and dorsal segmentectomies 8 are an option for parenchymal-sparing liver resection. However, laparoscopic anatomic posterosuperior liver segment resection is technically demanding because of its deep location and the many variations in the segment 8 Glissonean pedicle (G8). In this study, we describe a hepatic vein-guided approach (HVGA) to overcome these limitations. For ventral segmentectomy 8, liver parenchymal transection was initiated at the ventral side of the middle hepatic vein (MHV) and continued exposing it toward the periphery. The G8 ventral branch (G8vent) was identified on the right side of the MHV. Following G8vent dissection, liver parenchymal transection was completed by connecting the demarcation line and G8vent stump. For dorsal segmentectomy 8, the anterior fissure vein (AFV) was exposed peripherally. The G8 dorsal branch (G8dor) was identified on the right side of the AFV. Following G8dor dissection, the right hepatic vein (RHV) was exposed from the root. Liver parenchymal transection was completed by connecting the demarcation line and RHV. Between April 2016 and December 2022, we performed laparoscopic ventral and dorsal segmentectomy 8 in fourteen patients. No complications (Clavien-Dindo classification, Grade ≥ IIIa) were observed. An HVGA is feasible and useful for standardizing safe laparoscopic ventral and dorsal segmentectomies 8.

Double cone-unit laparoscopic hepatic resection for tumors adjacent to the hepatic vein

BACKGROUND

In tumor adjacent to the hepatic vein, it is important to treat two tertiary Glissonean pedicles that straddle to the hepatic vein in order to remove the tumor with a negative margin. The anatomical resection of the smallest unit may be considered to be the resection of the double cone-unit (DCU) in small tumor adjacent to the vein.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

127 patients who had undergone laparoscopic hepatectomy at the Jikei Medical University Hospital from 2020 through 2021. In 5 cases, Laparoscopic DCU resection was performed. If the CT image shows a hepatic vein near the tumor and the tumor is relatively small, less than 50 mm in size, DCU resection should be considered. After approaching the target Glissonean pedicles, the Bulldog Clamps were used to testing clamp it. After clamping it, the ICG was injected from peripheral veins. A few minutes later, the tumor-bearing portal territory could be identified as negative regions of fluorescence in the near infrared imaging system. The target hepatic vein, which runs between the two territories, was dissected where it transitions from the first to the second territory.

RESULTS

The median operative time in these 5 patients was 279 min, and the median volume of blood loss was 290 g. The average tumor size was 33 mm and the average surgical margin was 4.5 mm.

CONCLUSION

In small tumor adjacent to the hepatic vein, the anatomical hepatectomy of the smallest unit may be the Double Cone-Unit resection.

Latest Findings on Minimally Invasive Anatomical Liver Resection

Minimally invasive liver resection (MILR) is being widely utilized owing to recent advancements in laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgery. There are two main types of liver resection: anatomical (minimally invasive anatomical liver resection (MIALR)) and nonanatomical. MIALR is defined as a minimally invasive liver resection along the respective portal territory. Optimization of the safety and precision of MIALR is the next challenge for hepatobiliary surgeons, and intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) staining is considered to be of considerable importance in this field. In this article, we present the latest findings on MIALR and laparoscopic anatomical liver resection using ICG at our hospital.

Benefits of laparoscopic liver resection in elderly patients

BACKGROUND

The indications of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) have expanded to high-risk patients, such as elderly people. However, to date, little evidence has been established of the safety and feasibility of LLR in elderly patients. The short-term outcomes of LLR in elderly patients as compared to non-elderly patients were investigated.

METHODS

Data of a total of 297 patients who underwent LLR were reviewed. Among these 297 patients, 181 patients were < 75 years age (non-elderly) and 116 patients were ≥ 75 years age (elderly), and the surgical outcomes were compared between the groups. In addition, we evaluated the risk factors for postoperative morbidity (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ IIIa) utilizing the preoperative, operative, and postoperative variables RESULTS: The preoperative liver/renal function, frequency of anti-thrombotic drug use, number of comorbidities, and American Society of Anesthesiologists-physical status classification were more unfavorable in elderly patients than in non-elderly patients. No significant inter-group differences were observed in the operation time, blood loss, conversion rate, postoperative morbidity, or 30-day mortality. The 3-year overall survival rate was comparable between the two groups. Multivariate analysis identified anti-thrombotic drug use, operation time > 7 h, and peak serum total bilirubin > 2 mg/dl within postoperative day 3 as independent risk factors for Clavien-Dindo ≥ IIIa postoperative morbidity (P = 0.016, P < 0.001, and P = 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

LLR in elderly patients may provide comparable short-term outcomes to those in non-elderly patients.

Standardization of laparoscopic anatomic liver resection of segment 2 by the Glissonean approach

BACKGROUND

Anatomic liver resection (ALR) has been established to eliminate the tumor-bearing hepatic region with preservation of the remnant liver volume for liver malignancies. Recently, laparoscopic ALR has been widely applied; however, there are few reports on laparoscopic segmentectomy 2. This study aimed to present the standardization of laparoscopic segmentectomy 2 with surgical outcomes.

METHODS

This study included seven patients who underwent pure laparoscopic segmentectomy 2 by the Glissonean approach from January 2020 to December 2021. Four of them had hepatocellular carcinoma, two had colorectal liver metastasis, and one had hepatic angiomyolipoma, which was preoperatively diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma. In all patients, preoperative three-dimensional (3D) simulation images from dynamic CT were reconstructed using a 3D workstation. The layer between the hepatic parenchyma and the Glissonean pedicle of segment 2 (G2) was dissected to encircle the root of G2. After clamping or ligation of the G2, 2.5 mg of indocyanine green was injected intravenously to identify the boundaries between segments 2 and 3 with a negative staining method under near-infrared light. Parenchymal transection was performed from the caudal side to the cranial side according to the demarcation on the liver surface, and the left hepatic vein was exposed on the cut surface if possible.

RESULTS

The mean operative time for all patients was 281 min. The mean blood loss was 37 mL, and no transfusion was necessary. Estimated liver resection volumes significantly correlated with actual liver resection volumes (r = 0.61, P = 0.035). After the operation, one patient presented with asymptomatic deep venous and pulmonary thrombosis, which was treated with anticoagulant therapy. The mean length of hospital stay was 8.9 days.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic segmentectomy 2 by the Glissonean approach is a feasible and safe procedure with the preservation of the nontumor-bearing segment 3 for liver tumors in segment 2.

All the Routes for Laparoscopic Liver Segment VIII Resection: A Comprehensive Review of Surgical Techniques

Liver surgery is highly demanding for anatomical, physiological and technical reasons, and minimally invasive approaches have been implemented at a slower rate. Today, laparoscopic liver resection is a standard of care in many occasions, yet specific operations remain particularly challenging and generally performed in open surgery. In particular, SVIII resection may be considered one of the most difficult due to anatomical characteristics including its sub-diaphragmatic position, the deep-lying Glissonean pedicle and the close contact with the inferior vena cava and right and middle hepatic veins. Many techniques have risen to overcome technical difficulties, and today laparoscopic SVIII resection has been demonstrated to be feasible. This review provides a complete picture of current approaches, focusing on all techniques reported so far with critical appraisal of each, discussing and explaining benefits and pitfalls.

Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Navigation in Liver Surgery: A Systematic Review on Dose and Timing of Administration

BACKGROUND

Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence has proven to be a high potential navigation tool during liver surgery; however, its optimal usage is still far from being standardized.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted on MEDLINE/PubMed for English articles that contained the information of dose and timing of ICG administration until February 2021. Successful rates of tumor detection and liver segmentation, as well as tumor/patient background and imaging settings were also reviewed. The quality assessment of the articles was performed in accordance with the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN).

RESULTS

Out of initial 311 articles, a total of 72 manuscripts were obtained. The quality assessment of the included studies revealed usually low; only 9 articles got qualified as high quality. Forty articles (55%) focused on open resections, whereas 32 articles (45%) on laparoscopic and robotic liver resections. Thirty-four articles (47%) described tumor detection ability, and 25 articles (35%) did liver segmentation ability, and the others (18%) did both abilities. Negative staining was reported (42%) more than positive staining (32%). For tumor detection, majority used the dose of 0.5 mg/kg within 14 days before the operation day, and an additional administration (0.02-0.5 mg/kg) in case of longer preoperative interval. Tumor detection rate was reported to be 87.4% (range, 43%-100%) with false positive rate reported to be 10.5% (range, 0%-31.3%). For negative staining method, the majority used 2.5 mg/body, ranging from 0.025 to 25 mg/body. For positive staining method, the majority used 0.25 mg/body, ranging from 0.025 to 12.5 mg/body. Successful segmentation rate was 88.0% (range, 53%-100%).

CONCLUSION

The time point and dose of ICG administration strongly needs to be tailored case by case in daily practice, due to various tumor/patient backgrounds and imaging settings.

Minimally invasive anatomic liver resection: Results of a survey of world experts

BACKGROUND

Although the number of minimally invasive liver resections (MILRs) has been steadily increasing in many institutions, minimally invasive anatomic liver resection (MIALR) remains a complicated procedure that has not been standardized. We present the results of a survey among expert liver surgeons as a benchmark for standardizing MIALR.

METHOD

We administered this survey to 34 expert liver surgeons who routinely perform MIALR. The survey contained questions on personal experience with liver resection, inflow/outflow control methods, and identification techniques of intersegmental/sectional planes (IPs).

RESULTS

All 34 participants completed the survey; 24 experts (70%) had more than 11 years of experience with MILR, and over 80% of experts had performed over 100 open resections and MILRs each. Regarding the methods used for laparoscopic or robotic anatomic resection, the Glissonean approach (GA) was a more frequent procedure than the hilar approach (HA). Although hepatic veins were considered essential landmarks, the exposure methods varied. The top three techniques that the experts recommended for identifying IPs were creating a demarcation line, indocyanine green negative staining method, and intraoperative ultrasound.

CONCLUSION

Minimally invasive anatomic liver resection remains a challenging procedure; however, a certain degree of consensus exists among expert liver surgeons.

Outcome of major hepatectomy in cirrhotic patients; does surgical approach matter? A propensity score matched analysis

OBJECTIVE

Major hepatectomy in cirrhotic patients still represents a great challenge for liver surgeons. Hence, the aim in the present study is to investigate the clinical impact of major hepatectomy and to assess whether the surgical approach influences the outcome of cirrhotic patients.

METHODS

Multicenter retrospective study including cirrhotic patients undergoing major laparoscopic (mjLLR) and open liver resection (mjOLR) in 14 Western liver centers was performed (2009-2020). Clinical, demographic, and perioperative data were compared using propensity score matching (PSM). Long-term outcome after resection for hepatocellular carcinoma was analyzed.

RESULTS

Overall, 352 patients were included; 108 after mjLLR and 244 after mjOLR. After PSM, 88 patients were matched in each group. In the mjLLR group, compared to mjOLR, less blood loss (P = .042), lower overall and severe complication (P < .001, .020), such as surgical site infection, acute kidney injury and liver failure were observed, parallel to a shorter length of hospital stay. Stratifying patients based on the type of resection, less severe complications was observed only after laparoscopic left hepatectomy (P = .044), while the advantages of laparoscopy tend to decrease during right hepatectomy. Subgroup analysis of long-term survivals following liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma showed no difference between mjLLR and mjOLR.

CONCLUSIONS

This multicenter experience suggests potential short-term benefits of mjLLR in cirrhotic patients compared to mjOLR, without compromising long-term outcome. These findings might have interesting clinical implications for the management of patients with chronic liver disease.

The Applications of 3D Imaging and Indocyanine Green Dye Fluorescence in Laparoscopic Liver Surgery

Laparoscopic liver resections have gained widespread popularity among hepatobiliary surgeons and is nowadays performed for both standard and more complex hepatectomies. Given the increased technical challenges, preoperative planning and intraoperative guidance is pivotal in laparoscopic surgery to safely carry out complex and oncologically safe hepatectomies. Modern tools can help both preoperatively and intraoperatively and allow surgeons to perform more precise hepatectomies. Preoperative 3D reconstructions and printing as well as augmented reality can increase the knowledge of the specific anatomy of the case and therefore plan the surgery accordingly and tailor the procedure on the patient. Furthermore, the indocyanine green retention dye is an increasingly used tool that can nowadays improve the precision during laparoscopic hepatectomies, especially when considering anatomical resection. The use of preoperative modern imaging and intraoperative indocyanine green dye are key to successfully perform complex hepatectomies such as laparoscopic parenchymal sparing liver resections. In this narrative review, we discuss the aspects of preoperative and intraoperative tools that are nowadays increasingly used in experienced hepatobiliary centers.

Expert Consensus Guidelines: How to safely perform minimally invasive anatomic liver resection

BACKGROUND

The concept of minimally invasive anatomic liver resection (MIALR) is gaining popularity. However, specific technical skills need to be acquired to safely perform MIALR. The "Expert Consensus Meeting: Precision Anatomy for Minimally Invasive HBP Surgery (PAM-HBP Surgery Consensus)" was developed as a special program during the 32nd meeting of the Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery (JSHBPS).

METHODS

Thirty-four international experts gathered online for the consensus. A Research Committee performed a comprehensive literature review, classifying studies according to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network method. Based on the literature review and experts' opinions, tentative recommendations were drafted and circulated among experts using online Delphi Rounds. Finally, formulated recommendations were presented online in the Expert Consensus Meeting of the JSHBPS on February 23rd, 2021. The final recommendations were validated and finalized by the 2nd Delphi Round in May 2021.

RESULTS

Seven clinical questions were selected, and 22 recommendations were formulated. All recommendations reached more than 85% consensus among experts at the final Delphi Round.

CONCLUSIONS

The Expert Consensus Meeting for safely performing MIALR has presented a set of clinical guidelines based on available literature and experts' opinions. We expect these guidelines to have a favorable effect on the safe implementation and development of MIALR.