A new approach to hand-assisted laparoscopic liver surgery

Long-term oncological outcomes for HALS/Hybrid vs pure laparoscopic approach in colorectal liver metastases: a propensity score matched analysis

BACKGROUND

Studies comparing hand-assisted laparoscopic (HALS)/Hybrid and pure laparoscopic (PLS) resection for colorectal cancer liver metastasis have focused on short-term results, while long-term oncological outcomes remain understudied.

METHODS

We established a multi-institutional retrospective cohort study from four centers with experience in minimally invasive surgery between 2004 and 2020. Primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Other endpoints analyzed were intraoperative and postoperative outcomes. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to minimize baseline differences.

RESULTS

A total of 219 HALS/Hybrid (57.8%) and 160 PLS (42.2%) patients were included. After PSM, 155 patients remained in each group. Operative time (182 vs. 248 min, p = 0.012), use of intraoperative ablation (12.3 vs. 4.5%, p = 0.024), positive resection margin (4.5 vs 13.2%, p = 0.012), and pringle time (21 vs. 37 min, p = 0.001) were higher in PLS group. DFS at 1, 3, 5, and 7 years in HALS/Hybrid and PLS groups were 65.4%, 39.3%, 37.5%, and 36.3% vs. 64.9%, 38.0%, 33.1%, and 33.1%, respectively (p = 0.84). OS at 1, 3, 5, and 7 years in HALS/Hybrid and PLS groups were 94.5%, 71.4%, 54.3%, and 46.0% vs. 96.0%, 68.5%, 51.2%, and 41.2%, respectively (p = 0.73).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests no differences in long-term oncologic outcomes between the two techniques. We discovered that longer total operative, pringle time, higher rates of intraoperative ablation, and positive resection margins were associated with PLS. These differences in favor of HALS/Hybrid could be due to a shorter learning curve and a greater ability to control hemorrhage.

Pure laparoscopic vs. hand-assisted liver surgery for segments 7 and 8: propensity score matching analysis

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic liver resection of tumors located in segments 7 and 8 are considered a complex resection. The aim of this study was to compare the intraoperative and early postoperative outcomes of patients operated by pure laparoscopic (PLS) vs hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS).

METHODS

From January 2003 to January 2021, we included patients with minimally invasive surgery for lesions located in segments 7 and 8. To overcome selection bias, we performed 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) between HALS and PLS cohorts, including 30 patients in each of the groups. Of the 60 patients who underwent PSM, we compared the first 30 patients with the following 30 patients.

RESULTS

A total of 79 LLRs were performed, 46 by HALS and 33 by PLS. After PSM, in the PLS cohort, cirrhosis was more frequent (33.3% vs. 13.3%, p = 0.02). The surgical time, blood loss, Pringle maneuver, clamping time, and morbidity were similar between both groups, but with a lower hospital stay in the PLS group (3 days vs. 4 days, p < 0.01). In the first 30 patients who underwent LLR, the use of PLS was lower than the use of HALS, increasing due to the learning curve (16.7% in the first period vs. 83.3% in the second period; p < 0.01). The hospital stay was lower in the second period due to the more frequent use of PLS (3 vs. 4 days, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

PLS presents similar intraoperative and early postoperative results with lower hospital stay for lesions located in segments 7 and 8 compared to HALS. In centers with experience in LLRs, PLS could be performed safely in these segments.

Preoperative transarterial chemoembolization for laparoscopic liver resection in Child A cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE

Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) offers better short-term results than open surgery with similar long-term results although it is technically difficult due to the risk of bleeding.

METHODS

This study included patients with HCC in Child A cirrhosis who underwent TACE before LLR between 2009 and 2019. The primary endpoint was to analyze the intraoperative and early results of this technique. We also analyzed the long-term outcomes. Patients with and without clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 44 cirrhotic patients with HCC were included (24 CSPH and 20 non-CSPH). The Pringle maneuver was used in two cases (4.5%), mean blood losses was 100 ml (range 50-200), and three patients (6.8%) required a blood transfusion. The degree of necrosis achieved was greater than 90% in 27 patients (61.4%). At 1, 3, and 5 years, overall survival was 97.7%, 81.5%, and 63.4%, respectively, and disease-free survival was 85.2%, 52.5%, and 34.5%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between non-CSPH and CSPH groups regarding intraoperative, early, and long-term outcomes.

CONCLUSION

In our experience, TACE could be beneficial to perform LLR in HCC Child-Pugh A patients with and without CSPH without serious complications and similar oncological outcomes.

Surgical outcomes of hand-assisted laparoscopic liver resection vs. open liver resection: A retrospective propensity score-matched cohort study

Objective

Hand-assisted laparoscopic liver resection has the advantages of open and laparoscopic surgeries. There is still lack of comparison of surgical outcomes between hand-assistied laparoscopic liver resection (HALLR) and open liver resection (OLR). This study compared the surgical outcomes of the two approaches between well-matched patient cohorts.

Methods

Patients who received liver resection during January 2014 and October 2017 in Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College were included in this retrospective study. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to reduce selection bias between the two groups. Operation and short-term surgical outcomes were compared between the well matched groups.

Results

During this period, 232 patients with a median age of 55.1 years old received OLR, while 49 patients with a median age of 54.7 years old received HALLR. Compared with HALLR group, OLR group has a higher proportion in male patients (190/232, 81.9% vs. 34/49, 69.4%, P=0.048) and lower albumin (43.2±4.5 vs. 44.8±3.7, P=0.020). After PSM, 49 patients from each group were included in the following analysis. Two groups were well balanced in their baseline characteristics, liver functions, preoperative treatments, abdominal surgery history, and surgical difficulty. None perioperative mortality was observed in both groups. Operation time and postoperative complications were similar in two groups (P=0.935, P=0.056). The HALLR group showed less bleeding amount (177.8±217.1 mL vs. 283.1±225.0 mL, P=0.003) and shorter postoperative stay period (6.9±2.2 d vs. 9.0±3.5 d, P=0.001).

Conclusions

We demonstrated that hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery is feasible and safe for liver resection, including some difficult cases. HALLR can provide better bleeding control and faster recovery after surgery.

Hand-assisted Approach as a Model to Teach Complex Laparoscopic Hepatectomies: Preliminary Results

BACKGROUND

Currently, there are limited and scarce models to teach complex liver resections by laparoscopy. The aim of this study is to present a hand-assisted technique to teach complex laparoscopic hepatectomies for fellows in liver surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Laparoscopic hand-assisted approach for resections of liver lesions located in posterosuperior segments (7, 6/7, 7/8, 8) was performed by the trainees with guidance and intermittent intervention of a senior surgeon. Data as: (1) percentage of time that the senior surgeon takes the surgery as main surgeon, (2) need for the senior surgeon to finish the procedure, (3) necessity of conversion, (4) bleeding with hemodynamic instability, (5) need for transfusion, (6) oncological surgical margins, were evaluated.

RESULTS

In total, 12 cases of complex laparoscopic liver resections were performed by the trainee. All cases included deep lesions situated on liver segments 7 or 8. The senior surgeon intervention occurred in a mean of 20% of the total surgical time (range, 0% to 50%). A senior intervention >20% was necessary in 2 cases. There was no need for conversion or reoperation. Neither major bleeding nor complications resulted from the teaching program. All surgical margins were clear.

CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary report shows that hand-assistance is a safe way to teach complex liver resections without compromising patient safety or oncological results. More cases are still necessary to draw definitive conclusions about this teaching method.

Long-term survival in laparoscopic vs open resection for colorectal liver metastases: inverse probability of treatment weighting using propensity scores

BACKGROUND

This study compares long-term outcomes between intention-to-treat laparoscopic and open approaches to colorectal liver metastases (CLM), using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) based on propensity scores to control for selection bias.

METHOD

Patients undergoing liver resection for CLM by 5 surgeons at 3 institutions from 2000 to early 2014 were analysed. IPTW based on propensity scores were generated and used to assess the marginal treatment effect of the laparoscopic approach via a weighted Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

A total of 298 operations were performed in 256 patients. 7 patients with planned two-stage resections were excluded leaving 284 operations in 249 patients for analysis. After IPTW, the population was well balanced. With a median follow up of 36 months, 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) for the cohort were 59% and 38%. 146 laparoscopic procedures were performed in 140 patients, with weighted 5-year OS and RFS of 54% and 36% respectively. In the open group, 138 procedures were performed in 122 patients, with a weighted 5-year OS and RFS of 63% and 38% respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of OS or RFS.

CONCLUSION

In the Brisbane experience, after accounting for bias in treatment assignment, long term survival after LLR for CLM is equivalent to outcomes in open surgery.

Laparoscopic Hepatectomy for Liver Cancer

This chapter covers a range of important topics of laparoscopic hepatectomy as a novel approach toward treatment of liver cancer. Although laparoscopic hepatectomy was performed in a limited number of centers in the 1990s, technological innovations, improvements in surgical techniques and accumulation of experience by surgeons have led to more rapid progress in laparoscopic hepatectomy in the late 2000s for minimally invasive hepatic surgery. Currently, laparoscopic hepatectomy can be performed for all tumor locations and several diseases via several approaches. The laparoscopic approach can be applied to several types of resection, not only for tumors but also for liver transplantation, with equivalent or better results compared with those obtained with open surgery. Therefore, laparoscopic hepatectomy will become a standard procedure for treatment of liver cancer in the near future.

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 limited liver resection decreases morbidity irrespective of the hepatic segment resected

OBJECTIVES

The laparoscopic approach is widely used in abdominal surgery. However, the benefits of laparoscopy in liver surgery have hitherto been insufficiently established. This study sought to investigate these benefits and, in particular, to establish whether or not the laparoscopic approach is beneficial in patients with lesions involving the posterosuperior segments of the liver.

METHODS

Outcomes in a cohort of patients undergoing mostly minor hepatectomy (50 laparoscopic and 52 open surgery procedures) between January 2000 and December 2010 at the University Clinic of Navarra were analysed. The two groups displayed similar clinical characteristics.

RESULTS

Patients submitted to laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) had a lower risk for complications [odds ratio (OR) = 0.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07-0.74; P = 0.013] and shorter hospital stay (OR = 0.08, 95% CI 0.02-0.27; P < 0.001) independently of the presence of classical risk factors for complications. In the cohort of patients with lesions involving posterosuperior liver segments (20 laparoscopic, 21 open procedures), LLR was associated with significantly fewer complications (OR = 0.16, 95% CI 0.04-0.71) and a lower risk for a long hospital stay (OR = 0.1, 95% CI 0.02-0.43).

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms that the laparoscopic approach to hepatic resection decreases the risk for post-surgical complications and lengthy hospitalization in patients undergoing minor liver resections. This beneficial effect is observed even in patients with lesions located in segments that require technically difficult resections.

Radical laparoscopic treatment for liver hydatidosis

BACKGROUND

There is no scientific evidence to show which surgical technique should be used in treating hydatidosis of the liver; nor is there consensus on whether laparoscopy should be used in hydatidosis, because of the risk of dissemination or anaphylaxis.

MATERIALS

We conducted a multicenter study of laparoscopic radical surgery for hydatidosis of the liver (LRSH). The main objectives of the study were to determine the feasibility of LRSH, to examine the associated morbidity, and to evaluate the associated recurrence rate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present report is based on a retrospective multicenter study of patients with hydatid disease of the liver treated by LRSH. The study period was from January 2000 to April 2012.

RESULTS

There were 37 patients (46 % male) with 43 cysts. The median age was 53.1 years. Median cyst size was 5.8 cm. The most common location of the cyst was the left lateral sector (62 %). The median number of trocars used was 4. Protective scolicide-soaked swabs were used in 57 % of patients. We performed 24 total closed cystectomies, 12 left lateral sectionectomies, and 4 liver resections. The median operating time was 185 min and the mean blood loss was 184 mL. The conversion rate was 8 %. Morbidity was 16 % and mortality 0 %. The length of hospital stay was 4.8 days. No cyst recurrence was observed after a follow-up of 30.6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the limitations and biases of a retrospective multicenter study, we believe that LRSH is feasible in favorable segments but is technically demanding. The low morbidity and absence of recurrence suggest that LRSH should be performed whenever feasible.

[Laparoscopic liver resection: lessons learned after 132 resections]

INTRODUCTION

After 20 years of experience in laparoscopic liver surgery there is still no clear definition of the best approach (totally laparoscopic [TLS] or hand-assisted [HAS]), the indications for surgery, position, instrumentation, immediate and long-term postoperative results, etc.

AIM

To report our experience in laparoscopic liver resections (LLRs).

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Over a period of 10 years we performed 132 LLRs in 129 patients: 112 malignant tumours (90 hepatic metastases; 22 primary malignant tumours) and 20 benign lesions (18 benign tumours; 2 hydatid cysts). Twenty-eight cases received TLS and 104 had HAS.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

6 right hepatectomies (2 as the second stage of a two-stage liver resection); 6 left hepatectomies; 9 resections of 3 segments; 42 resections of 2 segments; 64 resections of one segment; and 5 cases of local resections.

RESULTS

There was no perioperative mortality, and morbidity was 3%. With TLS the resection was completed in 23/28 cases, whereas with HAS it was completed in all 104 cases. Transfusion: 4,5%; operating time: 150min; and mean length of stay: 3,5 days. The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates for the primary malignant tumours were 100, 86 and 62%, and for colorectal metastases 92, 82 and 52%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

LLR via both TLS and HAS in selected cases are similar to the results of open surgery (similar 5-year morbidity, mortality and survival rates) but with the advantages of minimally invasive surgery.

Laparoscopic hepatectomy for hepatic colorectal metastases -- a retrospective comparative cohort analysis and literature review

Background

Laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) for management of hepatic colorectal metastases (HCRM) is commonly being performed; however, there are limited reports comparing LH outcomes with those of open hepatectomy (OH) procedure. The aim of the present study was to compare perioperative outcomes between the LH and OH procedures performed at a single medical center.

Methods

From Jan 2008 to May 2012, 30 patients with pathologically confirmed HCRM underwent LH, and 140 patients underwent OH at our hospital. Patients' demographics, perioperative outcomes were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

2 patients (6.7%) in the LH group underwent laparotomies for intraoperative hemorrhage. The LH group had an increased surgical duration (235 min vs. 365 min, (P<0.001), shorter hospital stay (7.5 days vs. 11.5 days, P<0.001), and fewer complications (26.2% vs. 55%, P<0.001) than the OH group. However, in a matched cohort comparison of 30 LH cases and 30 OH cases, no significant variations were observed in the following parameters: surgical duration (235 min vs. 255 min, P = 0.23), positive margin rates (6.7% vs. 0.0%, P = 0.27), or postoperative hematological changes. LH patients had less estimated blood loss (215 ml vs. 385 ml, P<0.001), less morbidity (26.2% vs. 50%, P = 0.02), shorter hospital stay (7.5 days vs. 11.5 days, P<0.001), and lower analgesic requests than with those in the OH group.

Conclusions

LH for metastatic colorectal cancer is a safe and feasible treatment, even in patients who underwent prior laparotomy surgeries and provides significantly less morbidity and shorter hospital stay than OH, without compromising curability or increasing morbidity.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy for thrombocytopenia in patients with cirrhosis

PURPOSE

Although splenectomy plays an important role in the management of patients with liver cirrhosis, the optimal technique, open surgery, total laparoscopic surgery or hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS), has not yet been defined. The present study evaluated the outcomes of HALS splenectomy for cirrhotic patients.

METHODS

A total of 28 consecutive patients with cirrhosis that underwent HALS splenectomy were enrolled into this study. The preoperative laboratory and morphometric data, intraoperative variables and postoperative outcomes were reviewed from the hospital charts.

RESULTS

The postoperative platelet count was remarkably elevated in all cases. A re-operation was required in 1 patient complicated with postoperative hemorrhage. Enhanced CT on POD 7 revealed a high incidence of portal or splenic vein thrombosis (PSVT; 22 patients, 78.6 %). PSVT was significantly associated with higher serum bilirubin, higher indocyanine green retention value at 15 min (ICG R-15), and larger splenic vein diameter.

CONCLUSION

HALS splenectomy was a very feasible and appropriate procedure for cirrhotic patients with hypersplenism. PSVT was a frequent complication and large splenic vein diameter, high serum bilirubin, and high ICG R-15 were found to be significant risk factors for PSVT after HALS splenectomy in cirrhotic patients.

Survival after liver resection in metastatic colorectal cancer: review and meta-analysis of prognostic factors

Background

Hepatic metastases develop in approximately 50% of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases. We performed a review and meta-analysis to evaluate survival after resection of CRC liver metastases (CLMs) and estimated the summary effect for seven prognostic factors.

Methods

Studies published between 1999 and 2010, indexed on Medline, that reported survival after resection of CLMs, were reviewed. Meta-relative risks for survival by prognostic factor were calculated, stratified by study size and annual clinic volume. Cumulative meta-analysis results by annual clinic volume were plotted.

Results

Five- and 10-year survival ranged from 16% to 74% (median 38%) and 9% to 69% (median 26%), respectively, based on 60 studies. The overall summary median survival time was 3.6 (range: 1.7–7.3) years. Meta-relative risks (95% confidence intervals) by prognostic factor were: node positive primary, 1.6 (1.5–1.7); carcinoembryonic antigen level, 1.9 (1.1–3.2); extrahepatic disease, 1.9 (1.5–2.4); poor tumor grade, 1.9 (1.3–2.7); positive margin, 2.0 (1.7–2.5); >1 liver metastases, 1.6 (1.4–1.8); and >3 cm tumor diameter, 1.5 (1.3–1.8). Cumulative meta-analyses by annual clinic volume suggested improved survival with increasing volume.

Conclusion

The overall median survival following CLM liver resection was 3.6 years. All seven investigated prognostic factors showed a modest but significant predictive relationship with survival, and certain prognostic factors may prove useful in determining optimal therapeutic options. Due to the increasing complexity of surgical interventions for CLM and the inclusion of patients with higher disease burdens, future studies should consider the potential for selection and referral bias on survival.

Comparative study of right portal vein ligation versus embolisation for induction of hypertrophy in two-stage hepatectomy for multiple bilateral colorectal liver metastases

AIM

In patients with two-stage hepatectomy (TSH) for multiple bilobar liver metastases from colorectal cancer, few clinical series compare functional remnant hypertrophy of the liver volume between right portal vein ligation (PVL) and embolisation (PVE). Our objective is to analyse the effectiveness of portal vein ligation to achieve hypertrophy of the functional remnant volume (FRV) of the liver and to compare the results with portal vein embolisation in a series of patients with multiple bilobar liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between September 2001 and September 2011 we performed a TSH in 41 patients with multiple bilobar colorectal liver metastases. A right PVL was performed in 23 patients with an insufficient FRV (three patients did not complete the second stage due to tumour progression and were excluded). We prospectively compare these results with the increased remnant volume obtained in 18 patients with right PVE.

RESULTS

The median FRV was higher in the patients with PVE, rising from 501 ml (range 309-703) to 636 ml (range 387-649), than those with PVL, rising from 510 ml (range 203-824) to 595 ml (range 313-1213) (p < 0.05). The median %FRVI was higher in the patients with PVE (median 40%; range 21-65%) than those with PVL (median 30%; range 21-60%) (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

PVL and PVE were effective in all cases for obtaining hypertrophy of the FRV before major liver resection. Right PVE obtains better results and should be used where necessary to achieve a further increase in volume.

Simultaneous laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer and synchronous metastatic liver tumor

Laparoscopic colorectal resection has been applied to advanced colorectal cancer. Synchronous liver metastasis of colorectal cancer would be treated safely and effectively by simultaneous laparoscopic colorectal and hepatic resection. Seven patients with colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastasis treated by simultaneous laparoscopic resection were analyzed retrospectively. Three patients received a hybrid operation using a small skin incision, 2 patients underwent hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery using a small incision produced for colonic anastomosis, and 2 patients were treated with pure laparoscopic resection. The mean total operation duration was 407 minutes, and mean blood loss was 207 mL. Negative surgical margins were achieved in all cases. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 16.4 days. No recurrence at the surgical margin was observed in the liver. For selected patients with synchronous liver metastasis of colorectal cancer, simultaneous laparoscopic resection is useful for minimizing operative invasiveness while maintaining safety and curability, with satisfying short- and long-term results.

Comparative evaluation of laparoscopic liver resection for posterosuperior and anterolateral segments

Background

Totally laparoscopic liver resection of lesions located in the posterosuperior segments is reported to be technically challenging. This study aimed to define whether these technical difficulties affect the surgical outcome.

Methods

A total of 220 patients underwent laparoscopic liver resection during 244 procedures from August 1998 to December 2010. The patients who underwent primary minor single liver resection for malignant tumors affecting either posterosuperior segments 1, 7, 8, and, 4a (group 1) or anterolateral segments 2, 3, 5, 6, and 4b (group 2) were included in the study. Seventy-five procedures found to be eligible for the study, including 28 patients in group 1 and 47 patients in group 2. Intraoperative unfavorable incidents were graded on the basis of the Satava approach and postoperative complications were graded in agreement with the Accordion classification.

Results

The operative time (median, 127 min) and blood loss (median, 200 ml) were equivalent in the two groups. The rates for blood transfusions and intraoperative accidents did not differ statistically between the groups. A tumor-free margin resection was achieved in 94.7% of the procedures, equivalently in both groups. The postoperative course was similar in the two groups. Postoperative complications developed in 2 cases (7.1%) in group 1 and 2 cases (4.3%) in group 2 (p = 0.626). The median hospital stay was 2 days in both groups.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic liver resection for lesions located in posterosuperior segments represents certain technical challenges. However, appropriate adjustment of surgical techniques and optimal patient positioning enables the laparoscopic technique to provide safe and effective parenchyma-sparing resections for lesions located in both posterosuperior and anterolateral segments.

Laparoscopic liver surgery: new frontiers

Laparoscopic liver resection (LHR) has shown classical advantages of minimally invasive surgery over open counterpart. In spite of introduction in early 1990's only few centres worldwide adapted LHR to routine practice. It was due to considerable technical challenges and uncertainty about oncologic outcomes. Surgical instrumentation and accumulation of surgical experience has largely enabled to solve many technical considerations. Intraoperative navigation options have also been improved. Consequently indications have been drastically expanded nearly reaching criteria equal to open liver resection in expert centres. Recent studies have verified oncologic integrity of LHR. However, mastering of LHR is still a quite demanding task limiting expansion of this patient friendly technique. This emphasizes the necessity of systematic training for laparoscopic liver surgery. This article reviews the state of the art of laparoscopic liver surgery lightening burning issues of research and clinical practice.

Outcomes of laparoscopic hepatic resection for colorectal cancer metastases

The role of laparoscopic liver resection for cancer remains controversial. This review summarizes the expanding literature on outcomes of minimally invasive hepatic resection for colorectal cancer liver metastases. Four recent studies (in more than 300 patients) show 5-year overall-survival rates of 46-64%, which are comparable to results in modern open hepatic resection series. The advantages of laparoscopic liver resection include smaller incisions, less pain, less narcotic requirements, and shorter length of stay.

Treatment of liver colorectal metastases: role of laparoscopy, radiofrequency ablation, and microwave coagulation

Up to 50% of patients with colorectal cancer will develop metastatic disease in the liver. While surgical extirpation remains the best option for long-term survival, several complementary modalities such as laparoscopy, radiofrequency ablation, and microwave coagulation have gained wide acceptance as primary and adjunct therapies for both resectable and unresectable disease. This review will focus on the application and outcome of these techniques in patients with colorectal liver metastases.

[Value of laparoscopic liver resection]

Whereas in other fields of surgery minimally invasive techniques have replaced the open surgery approach, liver resection is still a domain of conventional surgery. However, it is internationally emerging that laparoscopic hepatic surgery will become more important by conceptional improvements. This article describes the technical aspects of laparoscopic liver resection, in particular the procedure with respect to the individual liver segments. The advantages and disadvantages of the minimally invasive technique and also the indications for laparoscopic liver resection will be discussed.

Laparoscopic liver resection--current update

An increasing number of studies are reporting the outcomes and benefits of laparoscopic liver resection. This article reviews the literature with emphasis on a recent consensus conference on laparoscopic liver resection in 2008, the learning curve for laparoscopic liver surgery, laparoscopic major hepatectomies, oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal cancer liver metastases, and the comparative benefits of laparoscopic versus open liver resection. Current evidence suggests that minimally invasive hepatic resection is safe and feasible with short-term benefits, no economic disadvantage, and no compromise to oncologic principles.

World review of laparoscopic liver resection-2,804 patients

OBJECTIVE

To provide a review of the world literature on laparoscopic liver resection.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Initially described for peripheral, benign tumors resected by nonanatomic wedge resections, minimally invasive liver resections are now being performed more frequently, even for larger, malignant tumors located in challenging locations. Although a few small review articles have been reported, a comprehensive review on laparoscopic liver resection has not been published.

METHODS

We conducted a literature search using Pubmed, screening all English publications on laparoscopic liver resections. All data were analyzed and apparent case duplications in updated series were excluded from the total number of patients. Tumor type, operative characteristics, perioperative morbidity, and oncologic outcomes were tabulated.

RESULTS

A total of 127 published articles of original series on laparoscopic liver resection were identified, and accounted for 2,804 reported minimally invasive liver resections. Fifty percent were for malignant tumors, 45% were for benign lesions, 1.7% were for live donor hepatectomies, and the rest were indeterminate. Of the resections, 75% were performed totally laparoscopically, 17% were hand-assisted, and 2% were laparoscopic-assisted open hepatic resection (hybrid) technique, with the remainder being other techniques or conversions to open hepatectomies. The most common laparoscopic liver resection was a wedge resection or segmentectomy (45%) followed by anatomic left lateral sectionectomy (20%), right hepatectomy (9%), and left hepatectomy (7%). Conversion from laparoscopy to open laparotomy and from laparoscopy to hand-assisted approach occurred in 4.1% and 0.7% of reported cases, respectively. Overall mortality was 9 of 2,804 patients (0.3%), and morbidity was 10.5%, with no intraoperative deaths reported. The most common cause of postoperative death was liver failure. Postoperative bile leak was observed in 1.5% of cases. For cancer resections, negative surgical margins were achieved in 82% to 100% of reported series. The 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates after laparoscopic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma were 50% to 75% and 31% to 38.2%, respectively. The 3-year overall and disease-free survival rates after laparoscopic liver resection for colorectal metastasis to the liver were 80% to 87% and 51%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In experienced hands, laparoscopic liver resections are safe with acceptable morbidity and mortality for both minor and major hepatic resections. Oncologically, 3- and 5-year survival rates reported for hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal cancer metastases are comparable to open hepatic resection, albeit in a selected group of patients.

[Chemical embolisation before laparoscopic hepatic resection in early hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients]

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether preoperative transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) reduces haemorrhage during laparoscopic resection, thus making the Pringle manoeuvre unnecessary and avoiding any subsequent complications.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We present 3 cirrhotic Child A patients with early hepatocellular carcinoma, all of whom had been given the same treatment involving resection by laparoscopy and preoperative TACE of the segments to remove. All the nodules were located in the right hepatic lobe. One case was treated using total laparoscopic surgery and the two remaining cases were converted to the hand-assisted technique. In the first case we carried out bisegmentectomy VI-VII; in the second, segmentectomy VI plus radiofrequency of a second nodule in segment VII, and in the third case, segmentectomy V.

RESULTS

There was no morbidity or mortality. Blood transfusion was not required by any of the patients; in fact blood losses were 100, 50 and 150 ml, respectively, and it was not necessary to carry out the Pringle manoeuvre. Surgical margin was greater than 1cm in the three cases and hospital stay was less than 3, 3 and 4 days, respectively.

CONCLUSION

TACE prior to early hepatocellular carcinoma resection in cirrhotic patients seems to improve surgical safety with low blood losses without the use of the Pringle manoeuvre. Prospective random studies should be carried out on a larger number of patients in order to assess this technique.

Laparoscopic liver resection: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Outcomes of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) are not clarified. The objective of this article is to depict the state of the art of LLR by means of a systematic review of the literature.

METHODS

Studies about LLR published before September 2008 were identified and their results summarized.

RESULTS

Indications for laparoscopic hepatectomy do not differ from those for open surgery. Technical feasibility is the only limiting factor. Bleeding is the major intraoperative concern, but, if managed by an expert surgeon, do not worsen outcomes. Hand assistance can be useful in selected cases to avoid conversion. Patient selection must take both tumor location and size into consideration. Potentially good candidates are patients with peripheral lesions requiring limited hepatectomy or left lateral sectionectomy; their outcomes, including reduced blood loss, morbidity, and hospital stay, are better than those of their laparotomic counterparts. The same advantages have been observed in cirrhotics. Laparoscopic major hepatectomies and resections of postero-superior segments need further evaluation. The results of LLR in cancer patients seem to be similar to those obtained with the laparotomic approach, especially in cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, but further analysis is required.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic liver resection is safe and feasible. The laparoscopic approach can be recommended for peripheral lesions requiring limited hepatectomy or left lateral sectionectomy. Preliminary oncological results suggest non-inferiority of laparoscopic to laparotomic procedures.

A series of laparoscopic liver resections with or without HALS in patients with hepatic tumors

BACKGROUND

Differences were compared between laparoscopic surgery with and without hand-assisted laparoscopic technique (HALS) in order to assess whether HALS is a safe and feasible alternative to laparotomy and to determine what factors contributed to successful laparoscopic liver surgery.

METHOD

From a total of 416 liver resections, 45 patients with 46 hepatic tumors were chosen for laparoscopic liver resection with or without a hand-assisted technique. For each patient, her/his surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss, tumor size and location, hospital stay after surgery, mortality, and morbidity were recorded for analysis.

RESULTS

The 45 surgical laparoscopic liver resections included 19 left lateral lobectomies, three hemihepatectomies, three segmentectomies, and 21 partial hepatectomies. A HALS was used more frequently in the right posterior group (14/16) than in the anterior group (6/29). There was no notable difference between these two groups in terms of tumor size, mean surgical time, blood loss during surgical procedure, hospital stay after surgery, and occurrence of complication.

CONCLUSION

Surgical results between HALS and non-HALS usage were similar except for higher blood loss with HALS, higher use of HALS when liver cirrhosis was present, and less likelihood of using HALS when there was a superficial location of the tumor or lesion.

Comparison of laparoscopic versus open liver tumor resection: a case-controlled study

BACKGROUND

Although there are data in the literature about the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic liver resections, there are not many studies comparing laparoscopic versus open approaches in a case-matched design. The purpose of this study is to compare the perioperative outcome of laparoscopic versus open liver resections from a single institution.

METHODS

Thirty-one patients underwent laparoscopic liver resection between April 1997 and August 2007, with a prospective laparoscopic program started in April 2006 (n=25). This group of patients was compared with 43 consecutive patients undergoing open resection who were matched by size of the lesion (5 cm or less for malignant and 8 cm or less for benign), anatomical location (segments 2, 3, 4b, 5, 6), and type of resection (wedge resection, segmentectomy, partial liver resection). Data were obtained from medical records as well as from a prospective database. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test and chi-square. All data are expressed as mean +/- standard error on the mean (SEM).

RESULTS

Mean age in the laparoscopic group was 57.6+/-2.7 years versus 61.9+/-2.3 years in the open group (p=0.2). There were more women in the laparoscopic group [74% females (n=23) and 26% males (n=8)] versus in the open group [40% females (n=17) and 60% males (n=26)] (p=0.003). There were more patients with malignant lesions in the open group (73%) versus in the laparoscopic group (45%) (p=0.01). Eight patients underwent partial and 23 patients segmental/wedge liver resection in the laparoscopic group versus 15 patients who underwent partial and 28 patients segmental/wedge liver resection in the open group (p=0.7). Mean tumor size was 3.9+/-0.4 cm in the laparoscopic group versus 4.2+/-0.3 cm in the open group (p=0.5). Ten (32%) out of 31 cases in the laparoscopic group were hand-assisted. Inflow occlusion was used in 1 case (3%) in the laparoscopic group versus 16 (37.2%) in the open group. Mean operating time was 201+/-15 min for the laparoscopic group and 172+/-12 min for the open group (p=0.1). Mean estimated blood loss during the procedure was 122.5+/-45.4 cc for the laparoscopic group and 299.6+/-33.6 cc for the open group (p=0.002). Surgical margin was similar for malignant cases in both groups. Mean hospital stay was 3.2+/-1.0 days for the laparoscopic group and 6.8+/-0.7 days for the open group (p=0.004). The incidence of postoperative complications was 13% (n=4) in the laparoscopic and 16% (n=7) in the open group (p=0.7).

CONCLUSION

This study shows that, with a longer operative time, the laparoscopic approach, despite the learning curve, offers advantages regarding operative blood loss, postoperative analgesic requirement, time to regular diet, hospital stay, and overall cost compared with the open approach for minor liver resections.