A Literature Review to Assess Blood Loss in Minimally Invasive Liver Surgery Versus in Open Liver Resection

The Rate of Postoperative Bile Leak in Minimally Invasive Liver Resection in Comparison With Open Surgery: A Systematic Review

The rapid advances in laparoscopic surgery have meant that formerly complex techniques are now commonly performed via this method. These practices are now becoming increasingly popular in the discipline of hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) surgery. One such example is liver resection, which is the focus of our review. We aimed to assess the rate of bile leak complications in minimally invasive liver resection compared to an open liver approach in malignant and benign conditions. A systematic review spanning the period from 2000 to 2022 was conducted, examining the postoperative complications in laparoscopic versus open liver resections. We searched the databases Medline, Cochrane, PubMed, and Google Scholar for relevant studies; 16 studies were included in the final analysis. Ten out of 16 studies that were included indicated that there was no significant difference in the rate of bile leaks. Five studies showed that bile leaks were found to occur more frequently in open surgery, and one study suggested that the rates were more common with the laparoscopic approach. The overall comparison of bile leak rates following open and minimally invasive liver resection suggests that there is no reduction in this complication in both types of surgery. As such, a laparoscopic or open method can both be adopted without any concerns for this particular complication.

Weighing the outcomes: the role of BMI in complex robotic esophageal and hepatobiliary operations

BACKGROUND

The correlation between body mass index (BMI) and surgical outcomes has emerged as a critical consideration in complex abdominal operations. While elevated BMI is often associated with increased perioperative risk, its specific effects on the outcomes of robotic surgeries remain inadequately explored. This study assesses the impact of BMI on perioperative variables of complex esophageal and hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) robotic operations.

METHODS

Following IRB approval, we prospectively followed 607 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy, trans-hiatal esophagectomy (THE), major liver resection or distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy, all performed robotically. Perioperative data retrieved included operative duration, estimated blood loss (EBL), intraoperative and postoperative complications, conversions to an 'open' operation and length of stay (LOS). Z scores were assigned to each variable to standardize operations, and the variables were then regressed against BMI. For illustrative purposes, data are presented as median(mean ± standard deviation).

RESULTS

Between 2012 and 2020, surgeries included 71 THE, 122 distal pancreatectomies with splenectomies, 129 major hepatectomies and 285 pancreaticoduodenectomies. Median age was 67(65 ± 12.5) years old, and BMI was 27(28 ± 5.5) kg/m2. Operative duration for all operations was 349(355 ± 124.5) min and had a positive correlation with increasing BMI (p = 0.004), specifically for robotic THE and robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy, with both operative durations having positive correlation with increasing BMI (p = 0.02 and p = 0.05). No significant correlation with BMI was found for EBL, intraoperative or postoperative complications, conversion to 'open' surgery, or LOS.

CONCLUSION

Elevated BMI is associated with longer operative durations in select robotic surgeries, such as trans-hiatal esophagectomy and pancreaticoduodenectomy, and highlights the need for strategic planning in these patients.