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

Indocyanine green (ICG)-guided robotic resection for liver adenoma: combined technologies for precision surgery

HCA resection is crucial to prevent bleeding and malignant transformation. The aim of this study was to enhance the precision of tumor resection in hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) through the combination of intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) and indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging. ICG was intravenously injected 24 h before surgery, enabling positive staining of HCA nodules. IOUS guided the parenchymal transection performed using the RoboLap approach. IOUS combined with ICG effectively demarcated lesions, allowing precision surgery while sparing healthy liver tissue. Intraoperative frozen examination further validated the potential of ICG to identify previously undetected lesions. The study showed promising advantages of ICG in HCA resections, potentially reducing the risk of recurrence and malignant transformation. The combined robotic and laparoscopic approach improved the feasibility of parenchymal-sparing surgery, offering a cautious assessment of HCA lesions.

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.

An update on liver surgery - a new terminology and modern techniques

Liver surgery is the cornerstone of the curative treatment of malignant liver tumors. However, the liver anatomy is very complex, and liver surgery is still associated with relevant morbidity despite many technical advances. The Brisbane nomenclature is used worldwide to classify liver resection. However, this nomenclature has several limitations as multiple terms are used for the same type of resection. Non-anatomical resections, multiple resections, and combined bilio-vascular resections were not mentioned. Therefore, new terminologies have been proposed for the precise and simple classification of liver resection. Furthermore, in recent years, many technical innovations have been introduced in liver surgery, such as 3D imaging systems and indocyanine green fluorescence, for better preoperative and intraoperative identification of tumor localization and critical vascular structures. Minimally invasive techniques are used more frequently in liver surgery. Potential benefits include less intraoperative blood loss, less pain, and a shorter hospital stay. The implementation of robotic systems also has an impact on liver surgery, and the number of cases reported in the literature is constantly increasing. The potential benefits of robotic liver resection over laparoscopic liver resection will be the subject of future studies.

Ten years of Italian mini-invasiveness: the I Go MILS registry as a tool of dissemination, characterization and networking

Purposes of this study are to evaluate the main changes that have occurred in the Italian MILS activity in the last decade in terms of indications, approaches and outcomes as reported in the national registry and to provide specific details on the main areas of development of MILS. Data from patients undergoing minimally invasive liver resections at centers included in the I Go MILS Registry from its start-up (November 2014) to March 2023 were analyzed for the purposes of this study. The registry is intention-to-treat and prospective. Global recruitment trends stratified by indication to surgery and type of approach were analysed. 7413 MILS procedures were performed across all centers (median number of procedures per center: 63). Years (2020-2023) displayed a significantly higher proportion of treated patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (38.2% vs. 28.9% and 33.9%, p < 0.001) and cholangiocarcinoma (6.7% vs. 6.5% and 4.2%, p < 0.001) compared to the preceding triennial periods. Additionally, technical complexity demonstrated an increased prominence in Years (2019-2023) with a significantly higher percentage of grade III cases compared to the earlier periods (39.3% vs. 21.7% and 25.6%, p < 0.001). Annual case trends focusing on laparoscopic and robotic techniques demonstrated a steadily increase in the use of these techniques for complex case mix of indications. Overall, attitude and attention to MILS approach has evolved, so that currently indications to hepatic mini-invasiveness have expanded and surgical technique has been refined: Areas mainly involved in increasing growth trends are hepatocellular carcinoma, possible applications of MILS in transplant setting, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and robotic approach.

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.

Minimizing blood loss and transfusion rate in laparoscopic liver surgery: a review

Laparoscopic liver resection has become a standard practice in many surgical wards in elective liver surgery, due to its positive impact on reducing hospital stay and postoperative complications, including lower blood loss and transfusion rate. However, achieving proper hemostasis in liver surgery, due to its vast blood supply, still remains a main concern to surgeons. Therefore, numerous techniques were and are still being developed to further reduce blood loss and transfusion rate. The aim of this literature review was to summarize the best available methods for achieving the minimal blood loss and transfusion rate in laparoscopic liver surgery, according to the newest data.

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.

Laparoscopic Microwave Ablation: Which Technologies Improve the Results

Liver resection is the best treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) when resectable. Unfortunately, many patients with HCC cannot undergo liver resection. Percutaneous thermoablation represents a valid alternative for inoperable neoplasms and for small HCCs, but it is not always possible to accomplish it. In cases where the percutaneous approach is not feasible (not a visible lesion or in hazardous locations), laparoscopic thermoablation may be indicated. HCC diagnosis is commonly obtained from imaging modalities, such as CT and MRI, However, the interpretation of radiological images, which have a two-dimensional appearance, during the surgical procedure and in particular during laparoscopy, can be very difficult in many cases for the surgeon who has to treat the tumor in a three-dimensional environment. In recent years, more technologies have helped surgeons to improve the results after ablative treatments. The three-dimensional reconstruction of the radiological images has allowed the surgeon to assess the exact position of the tumor both before the surgery (virtual reality) and during the surgery with immersive techniques (augmented reality). Furthermore, indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging seems to be a valid tool to enhance the precision of laparoscopic thermoablation. Finally, the association with laparoscopic ultrasound with contrast media could improve the localization and characteristics of tumor lesions. This article describes the use of hepatic three-dimensional modeling, ICG fluorescence imaging and laparoscopic ultrasound examination, convenient for improving the preoperative surgical preparation for personalized laparoscopic approach.

Effects of indocyanine green fluorescence imaging of laparoscopic anatomic liver resection for HCC: a propensity score-matched study

BACKGROUND

Recently, indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging has been increasingly used in laparoscopic anatomic liver resection. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of ICG-guided laparoscopic anatomic liver resection in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared with traditional laparoscopic anatomic liver resection.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed on patients with pathologically diagnosed HCC who successfully underwent laparoscopic anatomical liver resection from January 2019 to December 2021. The outcomes were compared between the two groups before and after the propensity score matching (PSM).

RESULTS

A total of 110 patients were included in this study, including 50 patients in the ICG-guided group and 60 patients in the traditional group. Compared with the traditional group, the ICG-guided group had a shorter operative duration (P = 0.040), less intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.044), a lower incidence of postoperative complications (P = 0.023), and a shorter postoperative hospitalisation (P < 0.001). After PSM, significant differences remained between the two groups for the duration of postoperative hospitalisation (P = 0.018) and postoperative complications (P = 0.042). There was no significant difference in the recurrence rate between the two groups before and after PSM.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic anatomic liver resection guided by ICG fluorescence imaging can reduce the duration of postoperative hospitalisation for patients and the incidence of postoperative complications. However, it has no impact on the long-term outcome of patients.

Leberchirurgie 4.0 - OP-Planung, Volumetrie, Navigation und Virtuelle Realität

Durch die Optimierung der konservativen Behandlung, die Verbesserung der bildgebenden Verfahren und die Weiterentwicklung der Operationstechniken haben sich das operative Spektrum sowie der Maßstab für die Resektabilität in Bezug auf die Leberchirurgie in den letzten Jahrzehnten deutlich verändert.

Dank zahlreicher technischer Entwicklungen, insbesondere der 3-dimensionalen Segmentierung, kann heutzutage die präoperative Planung und die Orientierung während der Operation selbst, vor allem bei komplexen Eingriffen, unter Berücksichtigung der patientenspezifischen Anatomie erleichtert werden.

Neue Technologien wie 3-D-Druck, virtuelle und augmentierte Realität bieten zusätzliche Darstellungsmöglichkeiten für die individuelle Anatomie. Verschiedene intraoperative Navigationsmöglichkeiten sollen die präoperative Planung im Operationssaal verfügbar machen, um so die Patientensicherheit zu erhöhen.

Dieser Übersichtsartikel soll einen Überblick über den gegenwärtigen Stand der verfügbaren Technologien sowie einen Ausblick in den Operationssaal der Zukunft geben.

Laparoscopic Resection of Synchronous Liver Metastasis Involving the Left Hepatic Vein and the Common Trunk Bifurcation: A Strategy of Parenchyma-Sparing Resection with Left Sectionectomy and 4a Subsegmentectomy by Arantius Approach

When colorectal cancer presents with liver metastasis, hepatic resection remains the most important factor in prolonging survival, and new paradigms have been proposed to augment resectability. An adequate liver remnant and vascularisation are the only limits in complex liver resection, and parenchyma-sparing surgery is a strategy for minimising the complications, preserving liver function, and allowing patients to undergo further liver resection. The laparoscopic approach represents a new challenge, especially when lesions are located in the superior or posterior part of the liver. We discuss the case of an 81-year-old patient with a single synchronous liver metastasis involving the left hepatic vein and leaning into the middle hepatic vein at the common trunk, where we performed a simultaneous laparoscopic colonic resection with a left sectionectomy extended to segment 4a. The strategic approach to the Arantius ligament by joining the left and middle hepatic vein allowed us to avoid a major liver hepatectomy, preserve the liver parenchyma, reduce complications, enhance patient recovery, and perform the entire procedure by laparoscopy. Our example suggests that the Arantius approach to the left hepatic vein and the common trunk could be a feasible approach to consider in laparoscopic surgery for lesions located in their proximity.