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.

Triple liver hanging maneuver for hepatic central bisectionectomy with caudate lobectomy for resection of huge hepatocellular carcinoma (with video)

Resection of huge hepatocellular carcinomas occupying the central portion of the liver is challenging. Exposure of an adequate liver transection plane using an anterior approach is likely to be difficult because of compression by the tumor. We herein propose a "triple liver hanging maneuver" technique for central bisectionectomy with caudate lobectomy for huge hepatocellular carcinomas stretching the hilar plate and the right and left hepatic veins. In this technique, the first tape is introduced for the transection plane along the right side of the umbilical portion to the anterior surface of the inferior vena cava. The second tape is introduced to lift the paracaval caudate Glissonean pedicles from the hilar plate. The third tape is introduced for the transection plane along the right hepatic vein to the anterior surface of the inferior vena cava. The triple liver hanging maneuver could be effective for huge tumors compressing major hepatic vessels.

Up-to-down open and laparoscopic liver hanging maneuver: an overview

BACKGROUND

The liver hanging maneuver (LHM) was described by Belghiti et al. to facilitate liver resection and is done classically by creating a space between the caudate lobe and the inferior vena cava starting on the edge of caudate lobe and extending cranially, in a para-caval fashion, towards the space between the right and middle hepatic veins. LHM facilitates liver transection, guides anatomical resections, decreases blood loss, facilitates harvesting of the liver graft in live donors, and also has oncological advantages.

STUDY DESIGN

We describe a new approach named "up-to-down" to perform LHM in open and laparoscopic liver resections. This approach was mainly used in obese patients, in laparoscopic liver resections and in cases of failure of the classic approach. The advantages/disadvantages, complications, and different modalities of LHM are also summarized.

RESULTS

The peritoneal layer between the liver capsule and the infrahepatic vena cava is opened, and a short blind dissection is initiated on the right anterolateral aspect of the inferior vena cava to the left of the hepatic vein of segment VI. The suprahepatic vena cava is exposed, and the space between the right and middle hepatic veins and the vena cava is created by gentle dissection. A 16-Fr nasogastric tube is positioned in the space between the right and middle hepatic vein, pointing inferiorly, and pushed downwards, in a para-caval manner caudally until it is seen inferiorly. The results of this approach are given.

CONCLUSION

LHM facilitates liver resection, and many variations have been described worldwide in open and laparoscopic liver surgery. The up-to-down approach should be part of the surgical armamentarium in order to offer a safer way to achieve LHM in some patients.

Modified liver hanging maneuver in laparoscopic major hepatectomy: the learning curve and evolution of indications

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic major hepatectomy is a technically challenging procedure requiring a steep learning curve. The liver hanging maneuver is a useful technique in liver resection, especially for large or invasive tumors, a relative contraindication of the laparoscopic approach. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the learning curve for laparoscopic major hepatectomy using the liver hanging maneuver and extended indications.

METHODS

Patients who underwent laparoscopic major hepatectomy using the liver hanging maneuver by a single surgeon from January 2013 and September 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Our hanging technique involves placing the hanging tape along the inferior vena cava for right-sided hepatectomy or the ligamentum venosum for left-sided hepatectomy. The upper end of the tape was placed at the lateral side of the major hepatic veins. The learning curve for operating time and blood loss was evaluated using the cumulative sum (CUSUM) method.

RESULTS

Among 53 patients, 18 underwent right hepatectomy, 26 underwent left hepatectomy, and 9 underwent right posterior sectionectomy. CUSUM analysis showed that operative time and blood loss improved after the 30th laparoscopic major hepatectomy. The 53 consecutive patients were divided into two groups (early, patients 1-30; late, patients 31-53). The median operative time was lower in the late group, but the difference was not statistically significant (270 vs. 245 min, p = 0.261). The median blood loss was also significantly lower in the late group (350 vs. 150 ml, p < 0.001). Large tumors (measuring > 10 cm) and tumors in proximity to major vessels were significantly higher in the late group (0 vs. 17.4%, p = 0.018; 3.3 vs. 21.7%, p = 0.036; respectively).

CONCLUSION

This study shows that laparoscopic major hepatectomy using the modified liver hanging maneuver has a learning curve of 30 cases. After procedure standardization, the indications have gradually been extended to large or invasive tumors.

Pure Laparoscopic Right Posterior Sectionectomy Using the Glissonean Approach and a Modified Liver Hanging Maneuver (Video)

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic right posterior sectionectomy is technically challenging secondary to poor exposure of the surgical field and difficulty with controlling hemorrhage during deeper parenchymal transection Cho et al., Surgery 158:135-141, 2015; Lee et al., Surgery 160:1219-1226, 2016. We present laparoscopic right posterior sectionectomy using the Glissonean approach and a modified liver hanging maneuver.

METHODS

A 57-year-old man presented with a single mass in segment 7 of the liver. He was placed in the lithotomy position, and five trocars were used in the upper abdomen. The hepatoduodenal ligament was encircled using an umbilical tape to perform the intermittent Pringle maneuver. After detachment of the hilar plate, the right posterior Glissonean pedicle was dissected and clamped to confirm ischemic delineation Takasaki, J Hepato-Biliary-Pancreat Surg 5:286-291, 1998. After complete mobilization of the right liver, the hanging tape was placed along the inferior vena cava between the caval ligament and the right hepatic vein. The hanging tape elevates the liver and guides the surgeon to achieve an accurate transection plane Belghiti et al., J Am Coll Surg 193:109-111, 2001; Kim et al., Surg Endosc 30:3611-3617, 2016; Kim, Choi, J Gastrointest Surg 21:1181-1185, 2017; Kim et al., Langenbecks Arch Surg 403:131-135, 2018 . The transection plane used during a right posterior sectionectomy is horizontal and follows the inferior vena cava. However, with the liver hanging maneuver, the horizontal transection plane becomes vertical.

RESULT

The operation time was 290 min, the estimated blood loss was 120 mL, and the total Pringle maneuver time was 60 min. Final histopathological diagnosis showed a 1.7-cm-sized hepatocellular carcinoma with the resection margin measuring 1.5 cm. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 7 without any complications.

CONCLUSION

A Glissonean approach with a modified liver hanging maneuver is feasible and useful for laparoscopic right posterior sectionectomy.

Pure Laparoscopic Right Hepatectomy Using Modified Liver Hanging Maneuver: Technical Evolution from Caudal Approach Toward Ventral Approach

BACKGROUND

The liver hanging maneuver during right hepatectomy is a useful technique for parenchymal transection. The laparoscopic caudal approach is totally different from the laparoscopic ventral approach because of the direction of parenchymal transection. There are differences in the application and effectiveness of liver hanging maneuver between two approaches. This study evaluated the surgical techniques and outcomes of the ventral approach comparison with the caudal approach in laparoscopic right hemihepatectomy using liver hanging maneuver.

METHODS

From February 2013 to February 2018, 16 patients underwent laparoscopic right hepatectomy using liver hanging maneuver. The caudal approach was used in 10 patients and the ventral approach in six. We adopted a different avascular plane located between the right adrenal gland and the vena cava for the hanging tape placement. In the caudal approach, the liver parenchyma were transected from the caudal to cranial side, pulling the hanging tape caudally. In the ventral approach, the parenchyma were transected from the ventral to the dorsal side, pulling the hanging tape superiorly.

RESULTS

The clinical data and patient characteristics of both groups were similar. The median operation time was comparable between the two groups (275 vs. 278 min, p = 0.958). The median blood loss was significantly lower using the ventral approach group than the caudal approach group (375 vs. 190 ml, p = 0.016). The difference in median postoperative hospital stay was not statistically significant (9 vs. 8 days, p = 0.713).

CONCLUSION

This ventral approach with liver hanging maneuver is a feasible and useful technique for laparoscopic right hemihepatectomy.

Laparoscopic liver hanging maneuver through the retrohepatic tunnel on the right side of the inferior vena cava combined with a simple vascular occlusion technique for laparoscopic right hemihepatectomy

Background

Laparoscopic hepatectomy has been performed in many hospitals, with the development of the laparoscopic operation technique. However, performing complex laparoscopic hepatectomy, such as right hemihepatectomy, is still a challenge. The aim of this study was to describe the application of a simple vascular occlusion technique and new liver hanging maneuver (LHM) in complex laparoscopic hepatectomy, which are both advocated by Chen Xiaoping for open hepatectomy.

Methods

The clinical data of 29 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic right hemihepatectomy (LRH) from October 2014 to October 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. During operation, the vascular occlusion technique without hilus dissection and LHM through the retrohepatic avascular tunnel on the right side of the inferior vena cava were used.

Result

All 29 operations were successfully performed laparoscopically, while adopting Chen’s methods. The study consisted of 23 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, four patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and two patients with hepatic metastasis of colonic carcinoma. The tumor size was 12.4 ± 1.9 cm. The operation time of LRH was 190.3 ± 49.9 min. The intraoperative blood loss of LRH was 281.7 ± 117.8 mL; five patients required blood transfusion, and the amount of blood transfusion was 300.0 ± 89.4 mL. No case was converted to open surgery, and no death occurred. All resulted in R0 resections. The median free margin was 20.1 ± 10.8 mm. The time of postoperative oral diet intake was 2.10 ± 0.96 days. The complication rate was 17.2%. The average hospital stay after operation was 10.0 ± 2.9 days.

Conclusion

Complex hepatectomy is a bloodless procedure that can be performed under a laparoscope safely using Chen’s methods of vascular occlusion technique and LHM.

Significance of liver hanging maneuver for anatomical hepatectomy in patients with a large hepatocellular carcinoma compressing intrahepatic vasculatures

Backgrounds/Aims

To achieve complete anatomic hepatectomy in a large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), hepatic transection through an anterior approach is required. Liver hanging maneuver (LHM) is a useful procedure for transection of an adequately cut plane in anatomical liver resection. It may reduce intraoperative bleeding and transection time.

Methods

We examined records of 27 patients with large HCC (over 10 cm in size) who underwent anatomic hepatic resection with LHM (n=11, between 2001 and 2007) or without LHM (n=16, between 2000 and 2003). The two groups were retrospectively compared in terms of patient demographics, preoperative hepatic function, surgical records, and post-hepatectomy outcome.

Results

Although transection time was not significantly different between the two groups, the amount of intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in the LHM group than that in the non-LHM group (1,269±1,407 ml vs. 2,197±1,281 ml, p=0.039). Related blood transfusion or total operation time in the LHM group tended to be lower than those in the non-LHM group, although differences between the two groups were not statistically significant (p<1.0). Prevalence of total complications in the LHM group tended to be lower than that in the LHM group (36% vs. 88%, p=0.011). However, prevalence of hepatectomy-related complications or length of hospital stay was not significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusions

LHM can reduce intraoperative blood loss. It is useful for transecting adequately cut plane in a hepatectomy for a large HCC. However, postoperative outcomes are not improved by LHM compared to those by non-LHM.

Modified liver hanging maneuver focusing on outflow control in pure laparoscopic left-sided hepatectomy

BACKGROUND

Outflow control during laparoscopic liver resection necessitates the use of technically demanding procedures since the hepatic veins are fragile and vulnerable to damage during parenchymal transection. The liver hanging maneuver reduces venous backflow bleeding during deep parenchymal transection. The present report describes surgical outcomes and a technique to achieve outflow control during application of the modified liver hanging maneuver in patients undergoing laparoscopic left-sided hepatectomy.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of clinical data from 29 patients who underwent laparoscopic left-sided hepatectomy using the modified liver hanging maneuver between February 2013 and March 2017. For this hanging technique, the upper end of the hanging tape was placed on the lateral aspect of the left hepatic vein. The tape was then aligned with the ligamentum venosum. The position of the lower end of the hanging tape was determined according to left-sided hepatectomy type. The hanging tape gradually encircled either the left hepatic vein or the common trunk of the left hepatic vein and middle hepatic vein.

RESULTS

The surgical procedures comprised: left lateral sectionectomy (n = 10); left hepatectomy (n = 17); and extended left hepatectomy including the middle hepatic vein (n = 2). Median operative time was 210 min (range 90-350 min). Median intraoperative blood loss was 200 ml (range 60-600 ml). Two intraoperative major hepatic vein injuries occurred during left hepatectomy. Neither patient developed massive bleeding or air embolism. Postoperative major complications occurred in one patient (3.4%). Median postoperative hospital stay was 7 days (range 4-15 days). No postoperative mortality occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

The present modified liver hanging maneuver is a safe and effective method of outflow control during laparoscopic left-sided hepatectomy.

Anterior approach for right hepatectomy with hanging maneuver for hepatocellular carcinoma: a multi-institutional propensity score-matching study

BACKGROUND

This multi-institutional study aimed to assess the benefits of anterior approach for right hepatectomy with hanging maneuver (ARH-HM) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared with conventional right hepatectomy (CRH).

METHODS

From January 2000 to December 2012, 306 patients with HCC ≥5 cm were divided into two groups: ARH-HM (n = 104) and CRH (n = 202).

RESULTS

After one-to-one propensity score-matched analysis, 72 ARH-HM and 72 CRH patients presented comparable background factors. Patients in the ARH-HM group demonstrated significantly less intraoperative blood loss (480 vs. 1,242 g, P < 0.001) and a lower frequency of red cell concentrate transfusion (21.1% vs. 50.7%, P < 0.001) compared with patients in the CRH group. The 5-year overall survival rate was significantly better in the ARH-HM group compared with the CRH group (50.2% vs. 31.4%, P = 0.021). Limited to patients with HCC ≥10 cm, recurrence-free and overall survival of the ARH-HM group was significantly greater than those of the CRH group.

CONCLUSION

In comparison with CRH, ARH-HM for large HCC can provide better overall survival rates with a decrease in intraoperative blood loss and transfusion rates. Survival impact was evident especially in patients with HCC ≥10 cm.

A Modified Liver Hanging Maneuver in Pure Laparoscopic Left Hemihepatectomy with Preservation of the Middle Hepatic Vein: Video and Technique

BACKGROUND

The liver hanging maneuver is a novel and useful technique that is widely used in open liver resections. The present study describes the surgical technique and outcomes of a modified liver hanging maneuver for pure laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy.

METHOD

The clinical data of patients who underwent laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy using a modified hanging technique were retrospectively reviewed. The upper end of the hanging tape was placed on the lateral side of the left hepatic vein. The pathway of the tape was situated along the ligamentum venosum.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients underwent pure laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy with the modified hanging technique. The median operation time was 225 min (range 180-300 min), with a median blood loss of 265 ml (range 140-600 ml). Postoperative major complications occurred in one patient (6.3%). The median postoperative hospital stay was 8 days (range 5-15 days). There was no postoperative liver failure or mortality.

CONCLUSION

This modified liver hanging maneuver is a simple, safe, and reproducible approach as dissection of between the middle and left hepatic vein is not required. This technique may be useful in laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy.

Can retrohepatic tunnel be quickly and easily established for laparoscopic liver hanging maneuver by Goldfinger dissector in laparoscopic right hepatectomy?

OBJECTIVE

The liver hanging maneuver (LHM) is rarely applied in laparoscopic right hepatectomy (LRH) because of the difficulty encountered in retrohepatic tunnel (RT) dissection and tape positioning. Thus far no report has detailed how to quickly and easily establish RT for laparoscopic LHM in LRH, nor has employment of the Goldfinger dissector to create a total RT been reported. This study's aim was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of establishing RT for laparoscopic LHM using the Goldfinger dissector in LRH.

METHODS

Between March 2015 and July 2015, five consecutive patients underwent LRH via the caudal approach with laparoscopic LHM. A five-step strategy using the Goldfinger dissector to establish RT for laparoscopic LHM was adopted. Perioperative data were analyzed.

RESULTS

The median age of patients was 58 (range, 51-65) years. Surgery was performed for one intrahepatic lithiasis and four hepatocellular carcinomas with a median size of 90 (40-150) mm. The median operative time was 320 (282-358) min with a median blood loss of 200 (200-600) ml. Laparoscopic LHM was achieved in a median of 31 (21-62) min, and the median postoperative hospital stay was 14 (9-16) d. No transfusion or conversion was required, and no severe liver-related morbidity or death was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The Goldfinger dissector is a useful instrument for the establishment of RT. A five-step strategy using the Goldfinger dissector can quickly and easily facilitate an RT for a laparoscopic LHM in LRH.

Lateral approach liver hanging maneuver in laparoscopic anatomical liver resections

BACKGROUND

The liver hanging maneuver is a novel technique that is widely used in open liver resection. The hanging technique has been rarely applied during laparoscopic liver resection because a blind dissection between the anterior surface of the inferior vena cava and the liver is required. Dissection between the right and middle hepatic vein is necessary in right hepatectomy, as is dissection between the middle and left hepatic vein in left hepatectomy. The aim of this study was to introduce the lateral approach liver hanging maneuver in laparoscopic anatomical liver resections.

METHOD

For this technique, the upper end of the hanging tape was placed on the lateral side of the right or left hepatic vein and the lower end of the hanging tape between three Glisson's pedicles. The pathway of the tape was situated along the lateral side of the inferior vena cava in right-sided hepatectomy or the ligamentum venosum in left-sided hepatectomy.

RESULTS

From February 2013 to October 2014, this technique was performed in 35 patients. Of these patients, ten patients underwent a right hepatectomy, 5 patients underwent a right posterior sectionectomy, 12 patients underwent a left hepatectomy, and 8 patients underwent a left lateral sectionectomy. The median operative time was 240 min (range 90-390 min), and median blood loss was 350 ml (range 60-700 ml). Blood transfusion was required in six patients (17.1 %). In two patients (5.7 %), postoperative complications were observed due to intra-abdominal fluid collection and pneumonia, respectively. No postoperative mortality was encountered.

CONCLUSION

The lateral approach liver hanging maneuver is a simple, safe, and reproducible approach as dissection of the anterior surface of the inferior vena cava and between the three major hepatic veins is not required. This technique may be useful in laparoscopic anatomical liver resections.

Development and clinical usefulness of the liver hanging maneuver in various anatomical hepatectomy procedures

PURPOSE

To assess the clinical application and usefulness of the liver hanging maneuver (LHM), proposed by Belghiti, for major hepatectomy, including its (1) historical development, (2) usefulness and application and (3) advantages and disadvantages, by reviewing the English literature published during the period 2001-2014.

RESULTS

In major hepatic transection via the anterior approach, the deep area of transection around the vena cava is critical with regard to bleeding during right hemi-hepatectomy. Belghiti and other investigators identified avascular spaces that are devoid of short hepatic veins at the front of the vena cava and behind the liver. Forceps can be inserted into this space easily and then maneuvered to lift the liver using hanging tape. This procedure, termed LHM significantly reduces intraoperative blood loss and the transection time during right hemi-hepatectomy. LHM has been used in various anatomical hepatectomy procedures worldwide, including laparoscopic hepatectomy. The use of LHM markedly improves the amount of intraoperative blood loss, operative time and postoperative outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that the application of LHM is an important development in the field of liver surgery, although a further evaluation of its true impact on clinical outcomes is necessary.

Monitoring of the generation of circulating tumor cells in central venous blood of patients undergoing right hepatectomy using anterior liver hanging maneuver

AIM: To monitor the generation of circulating tumor cells in central venous blood of patients undergoing right hepatectomy using anterior liver hanging (ALH) maneuver.

METHODS: From January 2008 to June 2011, 40 patients undergoing right hepatectomy were randomly allocated to ALH and conventional approach (CA) groups. Blood samples were collected from all patients through a central venous catheter, just before skin incision, just before parenchymal transection (after hilar dissection in the ALH group and after mobilization of the liver in the CA group), and after delivery of the tumor. All samples were detected for CTCs using an asialoglycoprotein receptor-based isolation strategy. The proportions of CTC-positive patients at various stages of surgery were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS: The proportion of CTC-positive patients showed no significant difference before surgery between the two groups (2/18 vs 1/19, P > 0.05) but was significantly lower in the ALH group than in the CA group before parenchymal transection and at the end of surgery after delivery of the tumor (20% vs 55%, 40% vs 80%, P = 0.022, 0.010).

CONCLUSION: Right hepatectomy using anterior liver hanging maneuver can reduce intraoperative blood-borne spread of tumor cells compared with the conventional method.

Hemi-hepatectomy in pediatric patients using two-surgeon technique and a liver hanging maneuver

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of the two-surgeon technique with the liver hanging maneuver (LHM) for hepatectomies in pediatric patients with hepatoblastoma.

METHODS: Three pediatric patients with hepatoblastoma were enrolled in this study. Two underwent right hemi-hepatectomies and one underwent a left hemi-hepatectomy using the two-surgeon technique by means of saline-linked electric cautery (SLC) and the Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator (CUSA; Valleylab, Boulder, CO) and the LHM.

RESULTS: The mean operative time during the parenchymal transections was 50 min and the mean blood loss was 235 g. There was no bile leakage from the cut surface after surgery. No macroscopic or microscopic-positive margins were observed in the hepatic transections.

CONCLUSION: The two-surgeon technique using SLC and CUSA with the LHM is applicable to even pediatric patients with hepatoblastoma.

A new approach to the surgical treatment of parasitic cysts of the liver: Hepatectomy using the liver hanging maneuver

AIM: To review 11 patients with parasitic cysts of the liver, who were treated by hepatic lobectomy using the liver hanging maneuver (LHM).

METHODS: Between January 2003 and June 2006, we retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent surgical treatment due to parasitic cysts of the liver, at the Ege University School of Medicine, Department of General Surgery. Of these, the patients who underwent hepatic lobectomy using the LHM were reviewed and evaluated for surgical treatment outcome.

RESULTS: Over a three-year period, there were 102 patients who underwent surgical treatment for parasitic cysts of the liver. Of these, 11 (10%) patients with parasitic cysts of the liver underwent hepatic lobectomy using the LHM. Presenting symptoms were abdominal pain, dyspepsia, and cholangitis. Cyst locations were as follows: right lobe filled with cyst, 7 (63%); segmental location, 2 (18%); and multiple locations, 2 patients (18%). All patients underwent hepatic lobectomy with an anterior approach using the LHM. The intraoperative blood transfusion requirement was one unit for 3 patients and two units for one patient. Postoperative complications included pulmonary atelectasy (2, 18%) and pleural effusion (2, 18%). No significant morbidity or mortality was observed.

CONCLUSION: We concluded that hepatic lobectomy using the LHM should be considered, not only for hepatic tumors or donor hepatectomy, but also to treat parasitic cysts of the liver.