Segment 7 Laparoscopic Liver Resection: Is It Possible to Resect When Metastatic Lesions Border Suprahepatic Veins?

Robotic liver resection in the posterosuperior segments as a way to extent the mini-invasive arsenal: a comparison with transthoracic laparoscopic approach

BACKGROUND

The field of robotic liver resection (RLR) has developed in the past decades. This technique seems to improve the access to the posterosuperior (PS) segments. Evidence of a possible advantage over transthoracic laparoscopy (TTL) is not yet available. We aimed to compare RLR to TTL for tumors located in the PS segments of the liver in terms of feasibility, difficulty scoring, and outcome.

METHODS

This retrospective study compared patients undergoing robotic liver resections and transthoracic laparoscopic resections of the PS segments between January 2016 and December 2022 in a high-volume HPB center. Patients' characteristics, perioperative outcomes, and postoperative complications were evaluated.

RESULTS

In total, 30 RLR and 16 TTL were included. Only wedge resections were performed in the TTL group, while 43% of the patients in the RLR group had an anatomical resection (p < 0.001). The difficulty score according to the IWATE difficulty scoring system was significantly higher in the RLR group (p < 0.001). Total operative time was similar between the two groups. Complication rates, either overall or major, were comparable between the two techniques and hospital stay was significantly shorter in the RLR group. Patients in the TTL group were found to have more pulmonary complications (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

RLR may provide some advantages over TTL for the resection of tumors located in the PS segments.

Laparoscopic anatomic liver resection of segment 7 using a caudo-dorsal approach to the right hepatic vein

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic anatomic liver resection of segment 7 (S7) is technically challenging because of the posterosuperior location and the lack of clear anatomical landmarks [1-4]. Here, we introduce a caudo-dorsal approach, which may offer a benefit for the difficult procedure.

METHODS

The patient was a 53-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma located in S7 of the liver. After the transection of caudate process, the Glissonean pedicle of S7 (G7) extending from the right posterior Glissonean pedicle was identified on the liver dorsal side. The demarcation line was noted by isolating and clamping G7. The intraoperative ultrasound was then used to assess the extent of the tumor. The right hepatic vein was approached from the dorsal side and continuously exposed in a caudal-cranial direction along the anterior surface of inferior vena cava after isolating and cutting the venous branches draining S7. Following the dissection of G7, the liver parenchymal transection was proceeded along the ischemic line between segment 6 and 7 with the ventral cutting plane extended to join the dorsal one. The liver parenchyma of the ventral side of the exposed right hepatic vein (RHV) was further transected from the dorsal side toward the root side of RHV. The resection of S7 was completed with perihepatic ligaments dissection.

RESULTS

The intermittent Pringle maneuver (15 min occlusion and 5 min reperfusion) was applied when necessary with a total time of 45 min. The operation time was 200 min, the estimated blood loss was 300 ml, and no transfusion was required. Pathology confirmed moderately differentiated HCC with negative surgical margin. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 8 with no complications and has been followed up for 8 months without recurrence.

CONCLUSION

This caudo-dorsal approach for laparoscopic anatomical S7 segmentectomy is easy and feasible when performed by experienced surgeons at experienced centers in well-selected patients.

A minimally invasive first stage of ALPPS for hepatoblastoma in a child

Large and giant tumors, especially hepatoblastomas, are more frequently presented in pediatric patients. At about two-third of hepatoblastomas at the time of diagnosis are unresectable and liver transplantation is considered as a treatment of choice because of insufficient future liver remnant volume. In selected cases, 2-staged hepatectomy may be the unique chance for curative resection except hepatectomy followed by liver replacement. Despite the overwhelming spread of minimally invasive liver surgery, the laparoscopic approach remains uncommon in children. A case of successful partial associating liver partition with portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy firstly accomplished pure laparoscopically on the first stage in an infant is presented. Described experience suggests both: the feasibility of laparoscopic procedures and the effectiveness of partial in situ liver splitting to reach appropriate future liver remnant volume and to avoid liver transplantation and its disadvantages.