Laparoscopic hepatectomy: new approach for hepatocellular carcinoma

Short-term Outcomes of Laparoscopic vs. Open Hepatectomy for Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Prospective Comparative Study

Laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) is a newly developed technique associated with advantages as open surgery, but the study on outcome of liver function recovery was scarce. This preliminary report was aimed to comparatively assess the short-term outcomes between LH and open hepatectomy (OH) for primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC). This study retrospectively analyzed the demographic data and short-term outcomes of 81 patients who underwent LH or OH for the primary treatment of PHC between Oct. 2017 and May 2018 at Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (China). A total of 81 PHC patients who received major liver resection were enrolled. There were 38 (47%) patients in the LH group and 43 (53%) patients in the OH group. The operative time was significantly longer (373.53±173.38 vs. 225.43±55.08, P<0.01), and hospital stay (17.34±5.93 vs. 21.70±6.89, P=0.003), exhaust time (2.32±0.62 vs. 3.07±0.59, P<0.01) and defecation time (2.92±0.78 vs. 3.63±0.58, P<0.01) were significantly shorter in LH group than in OH group. The recovery of liver function was significantly faster in LH group, including higher serum albumin (P=0.002), higher ratio of albumin/globulin (P=0.029) and lower direct bilirubin (P=0.001) than in OH group. It is suggested that LH can serve as a fast recovery and cheap surgical procedure in the treatment of PHC, which is safe and feasible.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Liver Resection for Centrally Located Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients With Cirrhosis: A Propensity Score-matching Analysis

This study aimed to compare the surgical and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) and open liver resection (OLR) for centrally located hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis. Between May 2013 and December 2015, 26 patients underwent pure LLR (14 underwent laparoscopic right anterior sectionectomy and 12 underwent laparoscopic central bisectionectomy). In total, 18 patients in the laparoscopic group and 36 patients in the open group were matched. When the LLR and OLR groups were compared, the operation time was found to be longer in the LLR group. However, LLR was associated with less blood loss, a shorter hospital stay, and earlier time to diet resumption. In this study, we confirmed that LLR for centrally located hepatocellular carcinoma can be safely performed in selected patients with cirrhosis despite a longer operation time.

Long-term results of laparoscopic liver resection for the primary treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: role of the surgeon in anatomical resection

BACKGROUND

Liver resection is a potentially curative therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). LLR is a newly developed and safe technique associated with shorter hospital stay, less pain, better cosmetic outcomes, and similar complication rates as open surgery; however, data on its long-term outcomes remain scarce.

METHODS

We retrospectively examined the clinical and follow-up data of 234 patients who underwent LLR (performed by a single surgeon in all cases) for the primary treatment of HCC between July 2007 and December 2015 at Asan Medical Center.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 55.63 (range 31-76) years; 167 were men. The median follow-up duration was 38 (range 6-116) months. A total of 227 patients (97.0%) had Child-Turcotte-Pugh grade A disease. Of them, 167 (71.4%) underwent anatomical resections and 63 (28.6%) underwent non-anatomical partial hepatectomies. Overall survival rates were 98.3, 91.7, and 87.1%, and recurrence-free survival rates were 82.1, 67.5, and 55.3% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. In Cox regression analysis, anatomical resection was a risk factor for recurrence (univariate analysis: hazard ratio [HR] 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.31-0.75; p = 0.001; multivariate analysis: HR 0.59; 95% CI 0.38-0.94; p = 0.025).

CONCLUSIONS

LLR is an acceptable primary treatment for patients with HCC with good hepatic function and with an appropriate anatomical structure, and is associated with improved prognosis. LLR can achieve lower recurrence rates through anatomical resection.

Totally laparoscopic anatomical liver resection for centrally located tumors: A single center experience

Laparoscopic major hepatectomy is a common procedure that has been reported frequently; however, laparoscopic resection of centrally located tumors involving segments 4, 5, and 8 remains a technically difficult procedure because it requires 2 transection planes and dissection of numerous branches of the hepatic vein and glissonean capsule compared to hemi-hepatectomy. Here, we present 7 cases of totally laparoscopic right anterior sectionectomy (Lap-RAS) and 3 cases of totally laparoscopic central bisectionectomy (Lap-CBS).Between May 2013 and January 2015, 10 totally laparoscopic anatomical resections of centrally located tumors were performed in our institution. The median age of the patients was 54.2 (38-72) years and the median ICG-R15 was 10.4 (3.9-17.4). There were 8 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 2 with metastatic colorectal cancer. All the HCC patients has the liver function impairment on the degree of Child-Pugh score A.The mean operation time was 330 ± 92.7 minutes with an estimated blood loss of 325 ± 234.5 mL. Only 1 patient required transfusion during surgery. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 9.5 ± 3.4 day and postop complication was reported only 1 case that has the fluid collection at the resection margin of the liver. Mean resection margin was 8.5 ± 6.1 mm and tumor size was 2.9 ± 1.9 cm.Totally lap-RAS and lap-CBS are feasible operative procedures in patients with centrally located tumor of the liver and particularly in patients with limited liver function such as those with cirrhosis.

[Results after laparoscopic liver resection: an appropriate option in malignant disease]

INTRODUCTION

The laparoscopic approach is not yet widely used in liver surgery, but has proven to be safe and feasible in selected patients even in malignant disease. The experience and results of a hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery unit in the treatment of malignant liver disease by laparoscopic approach is presented.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between February 2002 and May 2011, 71 laparoscopic liver resections were performed, 43 for malignant disease (only patients with more than one year of follow-up were included). Mean age was 63 years old and 58% of the patients were male. Forty-nine per cent of the lesions were located in segments ii-iii. Thirty segmentectomies were performed, 7 limited resections and 6 major hepatectomies.

RESULTS

The median operative time was 163 min. There were 3 conversions. Five cases (11%) required blood transfusion. The oral intake began at 32 h and the median hospital stay was 6.7 days. There were no reoperations and there was one case of mortality. Nine patients (21%) had postoperative complications. The mean number of resected lesions was 1.2, with an average size of 3.5 cm. All resections were R0. The median survival after resection of colorectal liver metastases (CLM) was 69% and 43.5% at 36 and 60 months, respectively, and 89% and 68% at 36 and 60 months, respectively, in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

CONCLUSION

The laparoscopic liver resection in malignant disease is feasible and safe in selected patients. The same oncological rules as for open surgery should be followed. In selected patients it offers similar long-term oncological results as open surgery.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic pancreatic surgery

BACKGROUND

In the field of gastroenterological surgery, laparoscopic surgery has advanced remarkably, and now accounts for most gastrointestinal operations. This paper outlines the current status of and future perspectives on robot-assisted laparoscopic pancreatectomy.

METHODS

A review of the literature and authors' experience was undertaken.

RESULTS

The da Vinci Surgical System is a robot for assisting laparoscopy and is safer than conventional endoscopes, thanks to the 3-dimensional hi-vision images it yields, high articular function with the ability to perform 7 types of gripping, scaling function enabling 2:1, 3:1, and 5:1 adjustment of surgeon hand motion and forceps motions, a filtering function removing shaking of the surgeon's hand, and visual magnification. By virtue of these functions, this system is expected to be particularly useful for patients requiring delicate operative manipulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Issues of importance remaining in robot-assisted laparoscopic pancreatectomy include its time of operation, which is longer than that of open surgery, and the extra time needed for application of the da Vinci compared with ordinary laparoscopic surgery. These issues may be resolved through accumulation of experience and modifications of the procedure. Robot-assisted laparoscopic pancreatectomy appears likely to become a standard procedure in the near future.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND

Robotic surgery is the most advanced development in minimally invasive surgery. However, the number of reports on robot-assisted endoscopic gastrointestinal surgery is still very small. In this article, we describe total laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) undertaken using the da Vinci Surgical System® (Intutive Surgical).

METHODS

Three patients underwent robotic PD between November 2009 and February 2010. Following resection of the pancreatic head, duodenum, and the distal stomach, intracorporeal anastomosis was accomplished by Child's method of reconstruction, which includes a two-layered end-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy, an end-to-side choledochojejunostomy, and a side-to-side gastrojejunostomy.

RESULTS

The time required for surgery was 703 ± 141 min, and blood loss was 118 ± 72 mL. The average hospital stay period was 26 ± 12 days. As a postoperative complication, pancreatic juice leak occurred in one case, but it was managed with conservative treatment. Of the three patients, one had cancer of the papilla of Vater, one had cancer of the pancreatic head, and one had a solid pseudopapillary neoplasm. In all cases, the surgical margin was negative for tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

Robot-assisted PD required a long time, but organ removal with less bleeding was able to be safely performed owing to the high degree of freedom associated with the forceps manipulation and the magnified view. Similarly, pancreatojejunostomy could certainly be conducted. No major postoperative complications were found. Accumulation of da Vinci PD experience in the future will lead to safer and faster PD.

A single-incision laparoscopic hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma: initial experience in a Japanese patient

Minimally invasive approaches for small liver tumors are desirable. We describe a single-incision laparoscopic hepatectomy (SILH) using total laparoscopic surgery (TLS) technique. SILH was performed to remove a solitary 2-cm hepatocellular carcinoma located at segment 3. The technique included a one-inch skin incision with three ports (one 12 mm and two of 5 mm each). The liver was sealed and dissected by three different devices: Harmonic scalpel, TissueLink sealing dissector, and Endoclip. Operation time was 70 minutes and blood loss was trivial. The patient required no analgesia postoperatively and walked unaided the next day. Various aspects of the procedure were not different from TLS. SILH is a safe procedure with several advantages. The procedure is promising as minimally invasive liver surgery.

Laparoscopic major hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery: formidable challenge to standardization

INTRODUCTION

Although laparoscopic colorectal or gastric surgery has become widely accepted as a superior alternative to conventional open surgery, the surgical management of hepato-biliary-pancreatic disease has traditionally involved open surgery. Recently, many reports have described laparoscopic partial liver resection, lateral segmentectomy, and distal pancreatectomy. However, laparoscopic major hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery, such as hepatic lobectomy and pancreaticoduodenectomy, has not been widely developed because of technical difficulties.

METHODS

We describe our experience with laparoscopic major hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery, including right hepatectomy using hilar Glissonean pedicle transaction, and pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy.

CONCLUSION

Although our experience is limited, and randomized study is necessary to elucidate the appropriate indications for and effects of the present procedures, we believe that laparoscopic major hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery can be feasible, safe, and effective in highly selected patients, and that it will be one of the standard therapeutic options for carefully selected patients with hepato-biliary-pancreatic disease.

Laparoscopic hepatectomy is a safe procedure for cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Utilizing laparoscopy for major surgeries such as hepatectomy is a relatively new concept. Initially, benign pathologies dominated indications for resection. Our experience in an Australian setting with primarily malignant diagnoses is described.

METHODS

A review of patients' profiles, pathology, surgery and outcome was performed on 35 patients between December 2005 and August 2008. Data were collected and analysed retrospectively from medical records on a pre-designed datasheet.

RESULTS

Commonest indication for resection was colorectal metastasis (54%), 71% of all resections were for malignancy. Average operating time was 2 h 31 min (range 30 min-7 h, 15 min). Major morbidity consisted of one bile leak, two subphrenic abscesses and one pulmonary embolus. There were no deaths. Conversion to open was required in 20% and two patients required intra-operative blood transfusions. Average length of stay overall was 6.1 days (range 1-27), but as low as 2 days for some left lateral sectionectomies. Cessation of parenteral analgesia, return to normal diet and full mobility were achieved on average at 2.4, 2.3 and 2.8 days. Significant post-operative liver dysfunction was seen in two patients, which returned to normal by discharge. One patient died of disease progression 4 months after surgery. There were two involved margins in 35 patients (6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic hepatectomy is a developing and safe technique in a select group of patients including those with malignancies, resulting in short hospital stays, rapid return to normal diet, full mobility and minimal morbidity with acceptable oncological parameters. This study is not comparative in nature, but provides evidence to support further investigation and establishment of this new technique for liver resection.

Laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy: surgical technique and our results from Leeds

BACKGROUND

Although laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy is increasingly becoming the accepted approach for resection of tumors in hepatic segments II and III, the variations in surgical technique exist.

METHODS

Our technique relies on mobilization of the left lateral sector followed by extracorporeal control of the portal pedicle allowing intermittent occlusion when needed. The parenchyma is thinned, exposing the inflow and outflow allowing application of endoscopic staplers under direct vision for parenchymal transection.

RESULTS

Eleven patients underwent left lateral sectionectomy between 2000 and November 2007 and had a median postoperative stay of 3 days. Two patients had to be converted early on.

CONCLUSION

Left lateral sectionectomy using this approach appears to be safe and reproducible, and this technique should be considered for patients with tumors in hepatic segments II and III.

Laparoscopic liver resections for hepatocellular carcinoma. Is it a feasible option for patients with liver cirrhosis?

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic surgery has gained growing acceptance, but this does not hold for laparoscopic surgery of the liver, above all for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis. This approach mainly includes diagnostic procedures and interstitial therapies. However, we believe there is room for laparoscopic liver resections in well-selected cases. The aim of this study is to assess: (a) the risk of intraoperative bleeding and postoperative complications, (b) the safety and the respect of oncological criteria, and (c) the potential benefit of laparoscopic ultrasound in guiding liver resection.

METHODS

A prospective study of laparoscopic liver resections for hepatocellular carcinoma was undertaken in patients with compensated cirrhosis. Hepatic involvement had to be limited and located in the left or peripheral right segments (segments 2-6), and the tumor had to be 5 cm or smaller. Tumor location and its transection margins were defined by laparoscopic ultrasound.

RESULTS

From January 1997, 22 out of 250 patients with HCC (9%) underwent laparoscopic liver resections. The mean patient age was 61.4 years (range, 50-79 years). In three patients, conversion to laparotomy was necessary. The laparoscopic resections included five bisegmentectoies (2 and 3), nine segmentectomies, two subsegmentectomies and three nonanatomical resections for extrahepatic growing lesions. The mean operative time, including laparoscopic ultrasonography, was 199 +/- 69 min (median, 220; range, 80-300). Perioperative blood loss was 183 +/- 72 ml (median, 160; range, 80-400 ml). There was no mortality. Postoperative complications occurred in two out of 19 patients: an abdominal wall hematoma occurred in one patient and a bleeding from a trocar access in the other patient requiring a laparoscopic re-exploration. Mean hospital stay of the whole series was 6.5 +/- 4.3 days (median, 5; range, 4-25), while the mean hospital stay of the 19 laparoscopic patients was 5.4 +/- 1 (median, 5; range, 4-8).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic treatment should be considered in selected patients with HCC and liver cirrhosis in the left lobe or segments 5 and 6 of the liver. It is clear that certain types of laparoscopic resection are feasible and safe when carried out by adequately skilled surgeons with appropriate instruments.

Laparoscopic hepatectomy, a systematic review

This systematic review was undertaken to assess the published evidence for the safety, feasibility and reproducibility of laparoscopic liver resection. A computerized search of the Medline and Embase databases identified 28 non-duplicated studies including 703 patients in whom laparoscopic hepatectomy was attempted. Pooled data were examined for information on the patients, lesions, complications and outcome. The most common procedures were wedge resection (35.1%), segmentectomy (21.7%) and left lateral segmentectomy (20.9%). Formal right hepatectomy constituted less than 4% of the reported resections. The conversion and complication rates were 8.1% and 17.6%, respectively. The mortality rate over all these studies was 0.8% and the median (range) hospital stay 7.8 days (2-15.3 days). Eight case-control studies were analysed and although some identified significant reductions in-hospital stay, time to first ambulation after surgery and blood loss, none showed a reduction in complication or mortality rate for laparoscopically carried out resections. It is clear that certain types of laparoscopic resection are feasible and safe when carried out by appropriately skilled surgeons. Further work is needed to determine whether these conclusions can be generalized to include formal right hepatectomy.

INLINE RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION-ASSISTED LAPAROSCOPIC LIVER RESECTION: FIRST EXPERIMENT WITH STAPLING DEVICE

BACKGROUND

In liver surgery, the increase in advancement of laparoscopic equipment has allowed the feasibility and safety of complex laparoscopic liver resection. However, blood loss and the potential risk of gas embolism seem to be the main obstacles. In this study, we successfully used the InLine radiofrequency ablation (RFA) device to carry out laparoscopic hand-assisted liver resection in pigs.

METHODS

Under general anaesthesia with tracheal intubation, pigs underwent InLine RFA-assisted laparoscopic liver resection. After installation of Hand Port and trocars, the InLine RFA device was introduced through Hand Port system and inserted into the premarked resection line. Then the generator was turned on and the power was applied according to the power setting. The resection was finally carried out using diathermy or stapler. For the control group, resection was simply carried out by diathermy or stapler.

RESULTS

Eight Landrace pigs underwent 23 liver resections. Blood loss was reduced significantly in the InLine group (P<0.001) when compared with control group in both surgical methods (diathermy and stapler).

CONCLUSION

In this study, we successfully carried out InLine RFA-assisted laparoscopic liver resection in both stapled and diathermy group. We showed that there was a highly significant difference between InLine and other liver resection techniques laparoscopically.

Laparoscopic liver surgery: Shifting the management of liver tumors

Laparoscopic liver surgery has evolved rapidly over the past 5 years in a select number of centers. The growing experience with these procedures has resulted in a shift in the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to common liver tumors. The fact that resection of benign and malignant hepatic masses can now be accomplished laparoscopically with relatively low morbidity has influenced the decision-making process for physicians involved in the diagnosis and management of these lesions. For example, should a gastroenterologist or hepatologist seeing a 32-year-old woman with an asymptomatic 4 cm hepatic lesion that is radiologically indeterminate for adenoma or focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH): (1) continue to observe with annual computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI) scans, (2) subject the patient to a liver biopsy, or (3) refer for laparoscopic resection? For a solitary malignant liver tumor in the left lateral segment, should laparoscopic resection be considered the new standard of care, assuming the surgeon can perform the operation safely? We present current data and representative case studies on the use of laparoscopic liver resection at 2 major medical centers in the United States. We propose that surgical engagement defined by the managing physician's decision to proceed with a surgical intervention is increasingly affected by the availability of, and experience with, laparoscopic liver resection.

Impact of intraoperative ultrasonography in laparoscopic liver surgery

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic surgery has gained growing acceptance, but this does not hold for laparoscopic surgery of the liver. This mainly includes diagnostic procedures, interstitial therapies, and treatment of liver cysts. However, the authors believe there is room for a laparoscopic approach to the liver in selected cases.

METHODS

A prospective study of laparoscopic liver resections was undertaken with patients who had preoperative diagnoses of benign lesion and hepatocellular carcinoma with compensated cirrhosis. The inclusion criteria required that hepatic involvement be limited and located in the left or peripheral right segments (segments 2-6), and that the tumor be 5 cm or smaller. The location of the tumor and its transection margin were defined by laparoscopic ultrasound (LUS).

RESULTS

From December 1996, 17 (5%) of 313 liver resections were included in the study. There were 5 benign lesions and 12 hepatocellular carcinomas in cirrhotic patients. The mean age of the study patients was 59 years (range, 29-79 years). The LUS evaluation identified the presence of new hepatocellular carcinoma nodules in two patients (17%). The resections included 1 bisegmentectomy, 8 segmentectomies, 3 subsegmentectomies, and 3 nonanatomic resections. The mean operative time, including laparoscopic ultrasonography, was 156 +/- 50 min (median, 150 min; range, 60-250 min), and the perioperative blood loss was 190 +/- 97 ml. There was no mortality. Conversion to laparotomy was necessary for two patients. Postoperative complications were experienced by 3 of 15 patients, all of them cirrhotics. One of the patients had a wall hematoma, and the remaining two patients had bleeding from a trocar access requiring a laparoscopic reexploration. The mean hospital stay for the whole series was 6.9 +/- 4.9 days (median, 6 days; range, 2-25 days) and 5.6 +/-1.4 days (median, 6 days; range, 2-8 days) for the 15 laparoscopic patients.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic treatment should be considered for selected patients with benign and malignant lesions in the left lobe or frontal segments of the liver. Evaluation by LUS is indispensable to guarantee precise determination of the segmental tumor location and the relationship of the tumor to adjacent vascular or biliary structures, excluding adjacent or adjunctive new lesions. The evolution of laparoscopic hepatectomies probably will depend on the development of new techniques and instrumentations.

Laparoscopic liver resection: experience of 53 procedures at a single center

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The short-term outcome following laparoscopic liver resection at a single center is presented.

METHODS

Fifty-three procedures were carried out in 47 patients, between August 1998 and April 2004 (6 patients were resected on two occasions). A previous laparotomy and/or hepatectomy had been done in 83% and 26% of the procedures, respectively. Colorectal metastasis was the main indication for treatment (42/53). A total laparoscopic approach was applied.

RESULTS

Three of the 53 (6%) procedures were converted to laparotomy. In one additional procedure, radiofrequency ablation was done instead of resection. Sixty liver resections were done during the 49 procedures completed laparoscopically as planned (9 patients had concomitant resections performed). Nonanatomic (45/60) and anatomic (15/60; left lobectomies) resections were done. Tumor tissue was found in the resection margins of 6% of the specimens. The free margin was very short in 8% of the specimens. The morbidity was 16%. There was no mortality. Blood transfusions were given following 26% of the procedures. The median hospital stay was 3.5 days (range, 1-14 days) and the median number of days on which there was a need for opioids was 1 (range, 0-11 days).

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic liver resection can be performed safely and seems to offer short-term benefits to the patients. Randomized studies are required to further evaluate the potential benefits of this treatment.

Laparoscopic hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

AIMS

To assess the results of laparoscopic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 1998 to 2003, 12 laparoscopic liver resections for hepatocellular carcinoma were performed.

RESULTS

There were no operative complications and no deaths. Conversion to laparotomy was required in one patient (8%) and transfusion in three patients (25%). One patient died of liver failure. Postoperative complications occurred in three patients (25%): trocar site bleeding, cardiac failure and biliary collection. The mean hospital stay was 5 days. No ascites and no transient liver failure occurred. During the mean follow up of 15 months the recurrence rate was 45.5%. No port site or peritoneal metastases were observed. Treatment of recurrence was second resection in two patients and microwave coagulation therapy in two other patients. Mean survival was 24 months.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic liver resection is feasible in hepatocellular carcinoma if the tumor is unique, smaller than 5 centimeters and located in the left lateral segments or in the anterior or inferior segments of the right liver. Postoperative morbidity is low and long-term results seem to be similar to laparotomy.

Laparoscopic liver resections

Though still practiced in only a few centres worldwide, laparoscopic liver resections, particularly left hepatectomy offer advantages over the conventional open approach in two important respects: reduced operative blood loss and lower major postoperative morbidity. Two approaches are used: the totally laparoscopic and the hand-assisted technique, which in the author's opinion facilitates both the execution and safety of these procedures, especially major resection of the right liver (right hepatectomy and pluri-segmentectomies). Technologies, which have enabled hepatic resections include: laparoscopic contact ultrasound, linear cutting staplers, ultrasonic dissection, LigaSure and TissueLink. The components operative steps necessary for these resections as practised by the author are described in this review.

Role and limitations of laparoscopic liver resection of colorectal metastases

BACKGROUND

The current experience of laparoscopic liver resection is reviewed focusing on the role and limitations of resection of colorectal metastases. Surgical technique, outcome, and the main controversies regarding the procedures are described.

METHODS

Current literature on laparoscopic liver resection is reviewed based on reports identified following a specified PubMed search.

RESULTS

Available evidence indicates that laparoscopic liver resection can be made safely in selected patients with comparable duration of surgery, blood loss, tumour clearance, and mortality to that of open resection. Tumours localised peripherally in the left lateral segments of the liver or in segments IV-VI seem to be best suited for laparoscopic resection. The laparoscopic approach may be beneficial to the patients as compared to conventional resection but randomised trials are pending. Laparoscopic resection of colorectal liver metastases is described in a small number of patients only. The long-term outcome following such resections is not adequately documented.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic liver resection is a promising technique with a comparable short-term outcome to that of open procedures but with the potential advantages of minimal invasive treatment. The technique should be further evaluated in properly designed trials. Laparoscopic resection of colorectal liver metastases should not be performed on a regular basis until long-term results are defined.

Laparoscopic liver resection: benefits and controversies

Laparoscopic liver resection is feasible and safe. Small tumors located in the left-lateral segment are the most favorable for the laparoscopic approach. Complication and conversion rates are acceptable. The laparoscopic approach to malignant lesions is controversial and results should be confirmed in further prospective studies. This highly advanced laparoscopic surgery requires experience and the availability of technologies for safe dissection of liver parenchyma.

N/A

N/A

Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for cancer

Minimally invasive surgical approaches were designed to enhance quality of care and improve patient outcome by minimizing postoperative pain, shortening hospital stay, reducing costs, and facilitating early return to work and presurgical lifestyle. The hand-assisted laparoscopic approach for resection of cancer is still in its formative stage, and this review places it in proper perspective within the context of minimally invasive surgery currently being performed for both benign and malignant disease. The review also outlines the potential advantages and disadvantages, techniques, and site-specific procedures of hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for cancer.

Minimally invasive hepatectomy: modulation of systemic reactions to operation or laparoscopic approach?

BACKGROUND

A new concept of surgical stress has been proposed that consists of both aggressiveness of operation and systemic reactions to an operation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We have investigated a possible modulation of such systemic reactions to operation and have demonstrated the following 3 points: (1) coagulation and fibrinolytic systems are independently activated during hepatectomy and such activation can be modulated by protease inhibitors such as nafamostat mesilate and antithrombin III; (2) elevated thromboxane A2 during hepatectomy is characterized in the prostanoid system, the elevation of thromboxane A2 is inhibited by thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor, and postoperative liver injury is reduced; (3) cytokine response induced by hepatectomy is modulated by preoperative administration of methylprednisolone, leading to possible prevention of bacterial translocation. Therefore, modulating systemic reactions to hepatectomy may be important for successful minimally invasive hepatectomy. Another important option for minimally invasive hepatectomy is the use of operative procedures such as laparoscope or thoracoscope. We have investigated the usefulness of a laparoscopic hepatectomy from the standpoints of early and long-term outcome after hepatectomy. Laparoscopic hepatectomy, which is a difficult and dangerous procedure, can be a feasible option and can result in better short-term outcome and a similar long-term outcome after hepatectomy when compared with conventional open hepatectomy. Therefore, the laparoscopic approach is also a viable option for minimally invasive hepatectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Modulation of systemic reactions to the operation itself and laparoscopic hepatectomy may be new strategies for performing minimally invasive hepatectomy.

Avoiding early postoperative complications in liver surgery. A multivariate analysis of 254 patients consecutively observed

BACKGROUND

The number of hepatic resections for benign and malignant lesions has constantly increased over the past 20 years, as a consequence, surgical experience acquired over the past few years has decreased post-operative morbidity and mortality rates.

AIMS

Analysing the relation between potential preoperative risk factors and the occurrence of severe post-operative complications, an attempt is made to identify the variables determining surgical risk in elective hepatic surgery both in normal and cirrhotic liver.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The hospital records of 254 patients who underwent elective liver surgical procedures for hepatic lesions in our department, between 1984 and 1999, were reviewed. The following variables were entered into univariate and multivariate analysis: age, sex, nature of liver lesion (benign or malignant), presence of cirrhosis or cholestasis, synchronous resection of other organs, disorders of blood coagulation, intraoperative blood requirement, the extent of surgical procedures and Pringle's manoeuvre.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The multivariate analysis of the 254 surgical operations on the liver indicates that the most powerful independent predictors favouring a serious adverse effect includes intra-operative blood transfusions, advanced age and cirrhosis. Scrupulous preoperative clinical evaluation and expert surgical skills minimize intra-operative bleeding and proved to be the most significant factors influencing morbidity and mortality rates.