A hybrid method of laparoscopic-assisted open liver resection through a short upper midline laparotomy can be applied for all types of hepatectomies

Minimally Invasive Surgery in Liver Transplantation: From Living Liver Donation to Graft Implantation

Since the end of the 20th century and the establishment of minimally invasive techniques, they have become the preferred operative method by many surgeons. These techniques were applied to liver surgery for the first time in 1991, while as far as transplantation is concerned their application was limited to the living donor procedure. We performed a review of the literature by searching in Pubmed and Scopus using the following keywords: Liver transplantation, Minimally invasive surgery(MIS) living liver donor surgery. Applications of MIS are recorded in surgeries involving the donor and the recipient. Regarding the recipient surgeries, the reports are limited to 25 patients, including combinations of laparoscopic, robotic and open techniques, while in the living donor surgery, the reports are much more numerous and with larger series of patients. Shorter hospitalization times and less blood loss are recorded, especially in centers with experience in a large number of cases. Regarding the living donor surgery, MIS follows the same principles as a conventional hepatectomy and is already the method of choice in many specialized centers. Regarding the recipient surgery, significant questions arise mainly concerning the safe handling of the liver graft.

A hybrid procedure of living donor liver transplantation for a pediatric patient with citrin deficiency

BACKGROUND

The application of laparoscopic procedures in the liver surgery has been growing. We herein present the first case of a pediatric patient who underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using a hybrid procedure with hand-assisted laparoscopic mobilization of the liver, subsequent explantation of the diseased liver, and implantation of the graft under direct vision.

METHODS

A 12-year-old girl with citrin deficiency was scheduled for LDLT with a left lobe graft. After making an 8-cm upper midline incision, a 5-mm trocar was placed at the umbilicus and the right upper abdomen. Mobilization of the right liver lobe was performed using a hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) procedure. After the extension of the midline incision, short hepatic vein dissection, encircling the right hepatic vein and hepatic hilum dissection was performed. Explantation of the liver and subsequent implantation of the liver graft were conducted under direct vision.

RESULTS

Since the operation, her normal activities of daily life have been maintained with a normal liver function. Subsequently, her secondary sexual characteristics have recovered without any wound-related complications.

CONCLUSIONS

A hybrid LDLT procedure was feasible for a pediatric patient. This procedure's benefits are considered meaningful for pediatric patients as it does not disrupt the rectus muscles or nerves and achieves cosmesis.

Usefulness and safety of midline incision for right-sided hepatectomy: Cohort study

Background

While the adoption rates of laparoscopic hepatectomy are increasing, most patients still undergo open hepatectomy. Open hepatectomies use inverted L-shaped or Mercedes incisions for right-sided liver tumor. To decrease procedural invasiveness, we performed midline incisions in such cases, excluding those of laparoscopic hepatectomy. This retrospective study examined the effects of this change in treatment policy on overall patient surgical outcomes.

Materials and methods

From 2012 to 2018, 374 patients who underwent hepatectomy for right-sided hepatocellular carcinoma were enrolled, and short-term patient outcomes were compared following stratification into the 1st (n = 157) or 2nd (n = 217) Era group based on whether procedures occurred before or after the policy change, respectively.

Results

Short-term outcomes were mostly comparable between the two groups, with significantly increased postoperative aspartate aminotransferase maximum values found in the 2nd Era group relative to the 1st Era group (median: 393 vs. 331, p < 0.05). Pain scores at rest during postoperative day 1 and while moving on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3 were significantly lower in the 2nd Era group than in the 1st Era group (p < 0.05, <0.01, <0.05, <0.01, respectively).

Conclusions

Utilization of midline incisions may provide some benefits in postoperative outcomes for right-sided open hepatectomy cases.

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Utilization of midline incisions may provide better postoperative outcomes in cases of right-sided open hepatectomy.

The feasibility and safety in using acetaminophen with fentanyl for pain control after liver resection with regards to liver function: A prospective single-center pilot study in Japan

INTRODUCTION

Acetaminophen has been widely used as an analgesic agent after various types of surgery. However, acetaminophen may sometimes induce severe liver dysfunction, which can occasionally lead to the need for liver transplantation. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of administering acetaminophen to patients after liver resection (LR).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The prospective study included 50 patients who underwent the following procedures: partial LR (n = 21) and more than one section LR (n = 29). Pain control was provided with continuous intravenous fentanyl and acetaminophen every 6 hours (within 2 days). We analyzed the liver function and blood concentration of acetaminophen at 1 and 3 days after LR using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and investigated the results of partial and more than one section LR, and also examined the degree of liver fibrosis.

RESULTS

The alanine transaminase level on postoperative days 1, 5, and 7 and total bilirubin on postoperative days 1 to 5 after LR in patients with more than one section LR was significantly higher than the levels in patients with partial resection. No patients developed liver failure. The blood concentration of acetaminophen by HPLC was significantly elevated in patients with resection of more than one section in comparison to the partial resection group.

CONCLUSION

The safety of acetaminophen was evaluated in Japanese patients who underwent different types of LR with different degrees of liver fibrosis.

Changes in the Role and Mode of Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Over 20 Years: A Single-Center Analysis

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to analyze changes in characteristics of HCC and the modes of LR over 20 years in order to show the impact of those changes in the outcome of LR. In addition, BCLC staging was used to assess the limitations of this classification system and changes over the decade.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In our department, 500 liver resections (LR) were performed for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) over the 20 years between January 2000 and February 2020. The 208 cases performed through 2009 were designated as Era 1, and the 292 cases between 2010 and February 2020 were termed Era 2. We analyzed changes in the characteristics of HCC and mode of LR (Study 1), and final outcomes of LR are shown according to the BCLC staging classifications and eras using data from the 5 years after LR (Study 2).

RESULTS

In Era 1, the mean age of the patients was 68, while in Era 2 the mean age was 71, which was significantly older than the patients in Era 1. HCC that developed from non-B, non-C liver cirrhosis was significantly increased in Era 2 (45%) as compared to that in Era 1 (34%). Laboratory data were all comparable between the eras in patients undergoing LR for HCC. The size and numbers of the HCC as well as tumor markers were similar between the eras. As to the mode of LR, although the extent of LR was similar between the eras, the laparoscopic method was significantly increased in Era 2. Blood loss was significantly lower in Era 2 (mean 519 g) than in Era 1 (1,085 g). Patient survival and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were similar between the two eras, while RFS at 5 years after LR was better in Era 2. Even in the BCLC A category, only patients with a single HCC less than 5 cm showed best results, while patients with HCC within the rest of BCLC A and BCLC B showed a dismal outcome. There was no difference in OS and RFS between the eras after stratification by BCLC.

CONCLUSION

There are conspicuous changes in the baseline characteristics and mode of LR over 20 years, which should be taken into account for patient care and informed consent for patients undergoing LR going forward.

Laparoscopic Liver Resection of Segments 7 and 8: from the Initial Restrictions to the Current Indications

Since the beginning of laparoscopic liver surgery, resection of the posterosuperior segments has been considered one of the most challenging procedure due to its difficult access. The main drawbacks of the laparoscopic approach to dome lesions are poor visualization, the difficulty of instrumentation and the greater complexity in the control of bleeding. In the evolution of minimally invasive techniques from hybrid techniques to the current purely laparoscopic approaches, the different authors have established gradually the currents indications and surgical techniques to operate these segments with a similar feasibility and safety than open approach. The standardization in the patient position, the use of intercostal trocars, the learning curve in laparoscopic liver surgery, the management of the hepatic blood flow and the refinement of the technique in the extrahepatic and intrahepatic Glissonean pedicle approaches, has allowed to leave behind the initial contraindications about the laparoscopic approach in these segments. In the present review of the literature, the accumulated experience of the different groups in minimally invasive liver surgery together with the technological advances in the different laparoscopic devices have facilitated the resection of tumors in segments 7 and 8 with similar and even better results than open surgery.

Learning curve of laparoscopic living donor right hepatectomy

Background

The feasibility and learning curve of laparoscopic living donor right hepatectomy was assessed.

Methods

Donors who underwent right hepatectomy performed by a single surgeon were reviewed. Comparisons between open and laparoscopy regarding operative outcomes, including number of bile duct openings in the graft, were performed using propensity score matching.

Results

From 2014 to 2018, 103 and 96 donors underwent laparoscopic and open living donor right hepatectomy respectively, of whom 64 donors from each group were matched. Mean(s.d.) duration of operation (252·2(41·9) versus 304·4(66·5) min; P &lt; 0·001) and median duration of hospital stay (8 versus 10 days; P = 0·002) were shorter in the laparoscopy group. There was no difference in complication rates of donors (P = 0·298) or recipients (P = 0·394) between the two groups. Total time for laparoscopy decreased linearly (R2 = 0·407, β = –0·914, P = 0·001), with the decrease starting after approximately 50 procedures when cases were divided into four quartiles (2nd versus 3rd quartile, P = 0·001; 3rd versus 4th quartile, P = 0·023). Although grafts with bile duct openings were more abundant in the laparoscopy group (P = 0·022), no difference was found in the last two quartiles (P = 0·207).

Conclusion

Laparoscopic living donor right hepatectomy is feasible and an experience of approximately 50 cases may surpass the learning curve.

Current Status of Surgical Incisions Used in Donors During Living Related Liver Transplantation-A Nationwide Survey in Japan

BACKGROUND

Smaller surgical incisions have recently been introduced in living donor liver procurement. This study used national data from Japan to clarify the present status of surgical incisions in living donor liver procurement.

METHODS

A nationwide, questionnaire-based survey related to 3121 donors and recipients was used. Donors were divided into 2 groups: left lateral segment graft (LLSG) procurement (n = 690) and other types (n = 2431). Incisions were classified into 6 types: type I, upper midline and bilateral subcostal; type II, upper midline and right subcostal; type III, upper midline and right subcostal to the right lateral margin of the abdominal rectus muscle; type IV, upper midline without laparoscopy; type V, upper midline with laparoscopy; and type VI, lower abdominal using the full laparoscopic technique. Types I, II, and III were regarded as standard, and types IV, V, and VI as small incisions.

RESULTS

In LLSGs, blood transfusion and postoperative complication rates were significantly less frequent in the small incision group than in the standard group. In other graft types, there were no significant differences in blood transfusion, postoperative complication, and recipients' graft loss rates. The rates of wound extension during surgery were 2.8% and 2.1% in the small incision group in LLSGs and in other graft types, respectively. A small incision was adapted more frequently and postoperative complications were less common in high-volume centers.

CONCLUSIONS

Various incisions have been adopted in living donor liver procurement. Donor safety and graft integrity appear to have been retained for donors receiving small incisions.

Laparoscopy-assisted versus open and pure laparoscopic approach for liver resection and living donor hepatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopy-assisted (hybrid) liver surgery is considered a minimally invasive technique, however there are doubts regarding loss of the benefits of laparoscopy due to the use of an auxiliary incision. The aim of this study was to compare perioperative results of hybrid vs. open and hybrid vs. pure laparoscopic approach to liver resection for focal lesions and living donation.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed in Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library Central and LILACS databases. Perioperative outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

21 studies were included. Hybrid vs. open: operative time was lower in open group (mean difference [MD] = 34 min; 95%CI: 22-47; P < 0.001; N = 669). Hybrid technique was associated with a reduction in operative blood loss [MD = -43 ml; 95%CI: -74-(-13); P = 0.005, N = 1738]; shorter hospital stay [MD = -1.9 days; 95%CI: -3.2-(-0.5); P = 0.008; N = 833] and lower morbidity [risk difference (RD) = -0.05; 95%CI: -0.10-(-0.01); P = 0.010; N = 1359]. Hybrid vs. pure laparoscopic: There was no difference regarding blood loss, transfusion rate, hospital stay and morbimortality.

DISCUSSION

Hybrid technique had perioperative outcomes that were more in keeping with pure laparoscopic outcomes than open surgery. Hybrid liver surgery should be considered a minimally invasive approach.

Standardized hybrid living donor hemihepatectomy in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation

The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of the most updated version and largest group of our standardized hybrid (laparoscopic mobilization and hepatectomy through midline incision) living donor (LD) hemihepatectomy compared with those from a conventional laparotomy in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Of 237 adult-to-adult LDLTs from August 1997 to March 2017, 110 LDs underwent the hybrid procedure. Preoperative and operative factors were analyzed and compared with conventional laparotomy (n = 126). The median duration of laparoscopic usage was 26 minutes in the hybrid group. Although there was improvement in applying this procedure over time from the beginning of the series of cases studied, blood loss and operative duration were still smaller and shorter in the hybrid group. There was no significant difference between the groups in the incidence of postoperative complications greater than or equal to Clavien-Dindo class III. There was no difference in recipient outcome between the groups. Our standardized procedure of hybrid LD hepatectomy is applicable and safe for all types of LD hepatectomies, and it enables the benefit of both the laparoscopic and the open approach in a transplant center without a laparoscopic expert. Liver Transplantation 24 363-368 2018 AASLD.

The First Comparative Study of the Perioperative Outcomes Between Pure Laparoscopic Donor Hepatectomy and Laparoscopy-Assisted Donor Hepatectomy in a Single Institution

BACKGROUND

In a statement from the second International Consensus Conference for Laparoscopic Liver Resection, adult-to-adult laparoscopic donor surgery was the earliest phase of development. It was recommended that the procedure be performed under institutional ethical approval and a reporting registry.

METHOD

At our institute, we started laparoscopy-assisted donor hepatectomy (LADH) in 2007 and changed to pure laparoscopic donor hepatectomy (PLDH) in 2012. This study included 40 living donors who underwent LADH and 14 live donors who underwent PLDH. We describe the technical aspects and outcomes of our donor hepatectomy from assist to pure and examine the liver allograft outcomes of the recipients after LADH and PLDH.

RESULTS

There was significantly less blood loss in the PLDH group (81.07 ± 52.78 g) than that in the LADH group (238.50 ± 177.05 g), although the operative time was significantly longer in the PLDH group (454.93 ± 85.60 minutes) than in the LADH group (380.40 ± 44.08 minutes). And there were no significant differences in postoperative complication rate in the 2 groups. The liver allograft outcomes were acceptable and comparable with open living donor hepatectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

By changing our routine approach from assist to pure, PLDH can be performed safely, with better exposure due to magnification, and with less blood loss under pneumoperitoneal pressure. PLDH, which has become our promising donor procedure, results in less blood loss, better cosmesis, and the donor's complete rehabilitation without deterioration in donor safety.

Are Hybrid Liver Resections Truly Minimally Invasive? A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

BACKGROUND

Hybrid liver resection is considered a modality of minimally invasive surgery; however, there are doubts regarding loss of benefits of laparoscopy due to the use of an auxiliary incision. We compared perioperative results of patients undergoing hybrid × open and hybrid × pure laparoscopic resections.

METHODS

Consecutive patients undergoing liver resection between June 2008 and January 2016 were studied. Study groups were compared after propensity score matching (PSM).

RESULTS

Six hundred forty-four resections were included in the comparative analysis: 470 open, 120 pure laparoscopic, and 54 hybrids. After PSM, 54 patients were included in each group. Hybrid × open: hybrid technique had shorter operative time (319.5 ± 108.6 × 376.2 ± 155.8 minutes, P = .033), shorter hospital stay (6.0 ± 2.7 × 8.1 ± 5.6 days, P = .001), and lower morbidity (18.5% × 40.7%, P = .003). Hybrid × pure laparoscopic: hybrid group had lower conversion rate (0% × 13%, P = .013). There was no difference regarding estimated blood loss, transfusion rate, hospital stay, complications, or mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Hybrid resection has better perioperative results than the open approach and is similar to pure laparoscopy. The hybrid technique should be considered a minimally invasive approach.

Selective Hemihepatic Vascular Occlusion Versus Pringle Maneuver in Hepatectomy for Primary Liver Cancer

Background

This study was conducted to compare the clinical effects of two techniques used for inflow occlusion during hepatectomy (selective hemihepatic vascular occlusion vs. Pringle maneuver) for the treatment of primary liver cancer.

Material/Methods

A total of 63 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent hepatectomy during June 2006 and June 2011 were included in this retrospective study. A total of 26 patients in group A accepted selective hemihepatic vascular occlusion, and 37 patients in group B underwent the Pringle maneuver during hepatectomy. The intraoperative conditions, postoperative liver function recovery, and complication rates were compared between these two groups.

Results

There were no significant differences in intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion, occlusion time, and postoperative complication rates between group A and group B (P>0.05). However, postoperative serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), total bilirubin (TBIL), and albumin (ALB) in group A were significantly lower than those in group B (P<0.05). Moreover, there were noteworthy differences in peripheral artery pressure and sphygmus (P<0.05).

Conclusions

During hepatectomy, selective hemihepatic vascular occlusion benefits the patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma by reducing the hepatic damage and improving postoperative hepatic function recovery, compared with the Pringle maneuver.

Short-term outcomes of laparoscopy-assisted hybrid living donor hepatectomy: a comparison with the conventional open procedure

BACKGROUND

Although minimally invasive living donor surgery has been increasingly accepted, its safety remains to be fully clarified in a large-scale study. This study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of our laparoscopy-assisted hybrid living donor surgery (LAHDS) procedure with an upper median incision in comparison with conventional open donor hepatectomy (ODH).

METHODS

From 2011 to 2016, 153 adult living donors [right lobe (RL) graft: 80 donors; left lobe (LL) graft: 73 donors] were enrolled and divided into LAHDS (n = 76) and ODH (n = 77) groups. Donor characteristics, surgical outcomes, and postoperative complications were compared between the 2 groups in each graft subgroup. Postoperative liver function tests (LFTs), inflammatory markers, pain parameters, incision-related symptoms, and recipient outcomes were compared between the 2 groups in all donors.

RESULTS

In RL donors, operative blood loss was significantly lower in the LAHDS group than in the ODH group (201 vs. 313 g; p = 0.034). In LL donors, duration of surgery was significantly longer in the LAHDS group than in the ODH group (459 vs. 403 min; p = 0.034). The incidence of complications, length of hospital stay, and postoperative changes in both LFTs and inflammatory markers were comparable. The incidence of postoperative scar discomfort or tightness was significantly lower in the LAHDS group than in the ODH group (2.6 vs. 31.2%; p < 0.001), whereas postoperative pain parameters were comparable. The incidence of wound problems and abdominal wall numbness tended to be lower, but not significantly so, in the LAHDS group.

CONCLUSIONS

This large consecutive case series demonstrates that our LAHDS procedure can be performed as safely as ODH, and it can improve quality of life without impaired donor and recipient outcomes.

Comparative Short-term Benefits of Laparoscopic Liver Resection: 9000 Cases and Climbing

OBJECTIVE

To perform a systematic review of worldwide literature on laparoscopic liver resections (LLR) and compare short-term outcomes against open liver resections (OLR) by meta-analyses.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

There are no updated pooled data since 2009 about the current status and short-term outcomes of LLR worldwide.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All English language publications on LLR were screened. Descriptive worldwide data and short-term outcomes were obtained. Separate analyses were performed for minor-only and major-only resection series, and series in which minor/major resections were not differentiated. Apparent case duplications were excluded.

RESULTS

A set of 463 published manuscripts were reviewed. One hundred seventy-nine single-center series were identified that accounted for 9527 LLR cases worldwide. Minor-only, major-only, and combined major-minor series were 61, 18, and 100, respectively, including 32, 8, and 43 comparative series, respectively. Of the total 9527 LLR cases reported, 6190 (65%) were for malignancy and 3337 (35%) were for benign indications. There were 37 deaths reported (mortality rate = 0.4%). From the meta-analysis comparing case-matched LLR to OLR (N = 2900 cases), there was no increased mortality and significantly less complications, transfusions, blood loss, and hospital stay observed in LLR vs OLR.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the largest review of LLR available to date with over 9000 cases published. It confirms growing safety when performed in selected patients and by trained surgeons, and suggests that LLR may offer improved patient short-term outcomes compared with OLR. Improved levels of evidence, standardized reporting of outcomes, and assuring proper training are the next challenges of laparoscopic liver surgery.

Surgical Indications and Procedures for Resection of Hepatic Malignancies Confined to Segment VII

OBJECTIVE

To establish a strategy for surgical resection of hepatic malignancies confined to segment VII.

BACKGROUND

Various surgical procedures can be used to resect hepatic malignancies in segment VII, the deepest region of the liver, by open and/or laparoscopic approaches: nonanatomic wedge resection (WR), segmentectomy VII, right lateral sectionectomy (RLS), and right hepatectomy.

METHODS

WR and segmentectomy VII were applied as first-line surgical procedures for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), respectively. RLS and right hepatectomy were indicated only when tumor infiltration to the proximal Glissonian sheath was suspected. Operative outcomes were evaluated in 200 consecutive patients who underwent hepatic resection for HCC (n = 120) or CRLM (n = 80).

RESULTS

WR, segmentectomy VII, RLS, and right hepatectomy were performed in 104 (52.0%), 57 (28.5%), 22 (11.0%), and 17 (8.5%) patients, respectively. Local hepatectomy (WR and segmentectomy VII) led to shorter operation times and lower blood loss volumes than did extensive hepatectomy (RLS and right hepatectomy). Thoracotomy was performed in half of the WR and two-thirds of the segmentectomy VII procedures. The availability of a laparoscopic approach was 40% (8 patients) after its application in October 2012.

CONCLUSIONS

Even for hepatic malignancies located in segment VII, WR and segmentectomy should be prioritized over extensive hepatectomy to preserve the postoperative functional hepatic volume. Full mobilization of the right liver and a good surgical field provided by a large thoracoabdominal or abdominal incision or a laparoscopic approach are key factors for safe performance of deep hepatic transection.

Hybrid procedure in living donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

We have previously reported a hybrid procedure that uses a combination of laparoscopic mobilization of the liver and subsequent hepatectomy under direct vision in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We present the details of this hybrid procedure and the outcomes of the procedure.

METHODS

Between January 1997 and August 2014, 204 LDLTs were performed at Nagasaki University Hospital. Among them, 67 recent donors underwent hybrid donor hepatectomy. Forty-one donors underwent left hemihepatectomy, 25 underwent right hemihepatectomy, and 1 underwent posterior sectionectomy. First, an 8-cm subxiphoid midline incision was made; laparoscopic mobilization of the liver was then achieved with a hand-assist through the midline incision under the pneumoperitoneum. Thereafter, the incision was extended up to 12 cm for the right lobe and posterior sector graft and 10 cm left lobe graft procurement. Under direct vision, parenchymal transection was performed by means of the liver-hanging maneuver. The hybrid procedure for LDLT recipients was indicated only for selected cases with atrophic liver cirrhosis without a history of upper abdominal surgery, significant retroperitoneal collateral vessels, or hypertrophic change of the liver (n = 29). For total hepatectomy and splenectomy, the midline incision was sufficiently extended.

RESULTS

All of the hybrid donor hepatectomies were completed without an extra subcostal incision. No significant differences were observed in the blood loss or length of the operation compared with conventional open procedures. All of the donors have returned to their preoperative activity level, with fewer wound-related complaints compared with those treated with the use of the conventional open procedure. In recipients treated with the hybrid procedure, no clinically relevant drawbacks were observed compared with the recipients treated with a regular Mercedes-Benz-type incision.

CONCLUSIONS

Our hybrid procedure was safely conducted with the same quality as the conventional open procedure in both LDLT donors and recipients.

Video assisted resections. Increasing access to minimally invasive liver surgery?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate perioperative outcomes, safety and feasibility of video-assisted resection for primary and secondary liver lesions.

METHODS

From a prospective database, we analyzed the perioperative results (up to 90 days) of 25 consecutive patients undergoing video-assisted resections in the period between June 2007 and June 2013.

RESULTS

The mean age was 53.4 years (23-73) and 16 (64%) patients were female. Of the total, 84% were suffering from malignant diseases. We performed 33 resections (1 to 4 nodules per patient). The procedures performed were non-anatomical resections (n = 26), segmentectomy (n = 1), 2/3 bisegmentectomy (n = 1), 6/7 bisegmentectomy (n = 1), left hepatectomy (n = 2) and right hepatectomy (n = 2). The procedures contemplated postero-superior segments in 66.7%, requiring multiple or larger resections. The average operating time was 226 minutes (80-420), and anesthesia time, 360 minutes (200-630). The average size of resected nodes was 3.2 cm (0.8 to 10) and the surgical margins were free in all the analyzed specimens. Eight percent of patients needed blood transfusion and no case was converted to open surgery. The length of stay was 6.5 days (3-16). Postoperative complications occurred in 20% of patients, with no perioperative mortality.

CONCLUSION

The video-assisted liver resection is feasible and safe and should be part of the liver surgeon armamentarium for resection of primary and secondary liver lesions.

Total abdominal approach for postero-superior segments (7, 8) in laparoscopic liver surgery: a multicentric experience

Laparoscopic liver resections are frequently performed for peripheral lesions located in the antero-inferior segments. Resection of postero-superior segments is more demanding and dangerous than other segmentectomies, resulting in a longer operation time and increased blood loss. To reduce technical challenges, some authors advocated a modified surgical approach for these segments with the patient placed in the left lateral decubitus with the right arm suspended and suggested technical variations like the use of an additional intercostal trocar, the placement of one or two additional trans-thoracic trocars, a hand-assisted approach or a hybrid method with a median laparotomy. In the present series of 88 patients from four hepatobiliary centers with high volume of activity in Italy, a standard lithotomic position has been routinely used without the need for left lateral decubitus or semi-prone position and through abdominal wall without use of trans-thoracic trocars. This approach allows a more comfortable use of the Pringle maneuver that we used routinely in hepatic resection for PS segments; and, a very short time is needed for conversion, whenever it is required. In our series, laparoscopic resection of liver tumors located in the postero-superior segments of the liver with a total abdominal approach is technically feasible and safe with short-term results similar to other laparoscopic liver resections.

An update on laparoscopic liver resection: The French Hepato-Bilio-Pancreatic Surgery Association statement

Laparoscopic liver resection has been recognized as a safe and efficient approach since the Louisville Conference in 2008, but its use still remains confined to experienced teams in specialized centers, and may lack some standardization. The 2013 Session of French Association for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery (ACHBT) specifically focused on laparoscopic liver surgery and the particular aspects and issues arising since the 2008 conference. Our objective is to provide an update and summarize the current French position on laparoscopic liver surgery. An overview of the current practice of laparoscopic liver resections in France since 2008 is presented. The issues surrounding standardization for left lateral sectionectomy and right hepatectomy, hybrid and hand-assisted techniques are raised and discussed. Finally, future technologies and technical perspectives are outlined.

Approaches to laparoscopic liver resection: a meta-analysis of the role of hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery and the hybrid technique

Laparoscopic liver resection has been established as a safe and feasible treatment option. Surgical approaches include pure laparoscopy, hand-assisted laparoscopy (HALS), and the hybrid technique. The role of these three approaches, and their superiority over open laparotomy, is not yet known. A literature review was performed using specific search phrases, relating to hand-assisted or hybrid approaches to laparoscopic liver resection. Surgical results from 18 case series (HALS, nine series; hybrid technique, nine series), each with ≥ 10 patients, were analyzed. Results indicated that HALS was associated with a mean operative time of 82-264.5 min, an estimated blood loss of 82-300 mL, and a complication rate of 3.8-27.1%. Analysis of series involving the hybrid technique indicated a mean operative time of 111-366.5 min, an estimated blood loss of 93-936 mL, and a complication rate of 3.4-23.5%. In conclusion, there is insufficient evidence to conclude that any single approach is superior to the others, although HALS and the hybrid technique are useful when dealing with difficulties associated with pure laparoscopy. Conversely, the need for these two methods, which can function as a bridge to pure laparoscopic liver resection, may be overcome with appropriate training.

Laparoscopic transthoracic liver resection

INTRODUCTION

Minimally invasive laparoscopic liver surgery is being performed with increased frequency. Lesions located on the anterior and lateral liver segments are easier to approach through laparoscopy. On the other hand, laparoscopic access to posterior and superior segments is less frequent and technically demanding.

AIM

Technical description for laparoscopic transthoracic access employed on hepatic wedge resection.

TECHNIQUE

Laparoscopic transthoracic hepatic wedge resection on segment 8.

CONCLUSION

Transthoracic approach allows access to the posterior and superior segments of the liver, and should be considered for oddly located tumors and in patients with numerous previous abdominal interventions.

How to explant a diseased liver for living donor liver transplantation after previous gastrectomy with severe adhesion (with video)

We performed living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in a patient who had undergone distal gastrectomy for gastric ulcer disease with Billroth I reconstruction 30 years before the LDLT. The adhesion was very severe between remnant stomach and hepatic hilum as well as left liver lobe with shortening of hepatoduodenal structures. After dissection of the infrahepatic inferior vena cava, the Spiegel lobe was identified from the dorsal side. The Spiegel lobe was then penetrated with a right angle dissector so that a plastic tape could be placed around the whole adhesion, including important structures in the hepatoduodenal ligament. Next, the right hepatic vein was transected with a vascular stapler using Pringle's maneuver using the plastic tape to fasten the entire adhesional structure. Subsequently, the trunk of the middle and left hepatic vein was transected after clamping. The remaining short hepatic veins in the left side were divided completely from the cranial to the caudal direction to dissect Spiegel's lobe. Finally, the hepatoduodenal ligament was identified from the attached remnant stomach and the duodenum and a vascular clamp was placed on the entire hepatoduaodenal ligament. Finally, the diseased liver was explanted for graft implantation. Thus, retrograde explantation of the liver was effective in decreasing the risk of damaging vital elements in the hepatoduodenal ligament, the remnant stomach, and the duodenum.