Anesthetic and operative considerations for laparoscopic liver resection

Perioperative outcomes of utilizing infrahepatic inferior vena cava clamping and Pringle maneuver during hepatectomy: a meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Intraoperative bleeding during hepatectomy is primarily controlled through anaesthesiological interventions or surgical techniques such as Pringle maneuver (PM). Infrahepatic IVC clamping (IIVCC) is an alternative surgical technique to reduce central venous pressure and prevent retrograde hepatic venous bleeding. The aim of the meta-analysis was to compare IIVCC+PM with PM alone in terms of intraoperative outcomes and perioperative complications.

METHODS

Medline, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE were searched for comparative studies till 16.04.2024, resulting in 679 articles, of which eight studies met inclusion criteria. Data on patient demographics, surgical technique, and perioperative outcomes was assessed. Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 (RoB 2.0) Tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) were used for risk of bias assessment.

RESULTS

Two randomized controlled trials, one prospective, and five retrospective cohort studies with 358 patients in IIVCC+PM and 397 patients in PM alone group were included. IIVCC+PM resulted in significantly greater CVP reduction, less intraoperative blood loss (MD (95% CI) = - 233.03 (- 360.48 to - 105.58), P < 0.001), and less intraoperative blood transfusion (OR (95% CI) = 0.38 (0.25 to 0.57), P < 0.001) compared to PM alone. The two groups had comparable total operative time, transection time and total intraoperative fluid infusion. Patients undergoing IIVCC+PM had significantly shorter length of stay (MD (95% CI) = - 0.63 days (- 1.21 to - 0.05 days), P = 0.03) and overall complication rates (OR (95% CI) = 0.63 (0.43-0.92), P = 0.02) compared to PM alone group.

CONCLUSION

The utilization of IIVCC along with PM during liver resection may be beneficial in reducing intraoperative bleeding and blood transfusion without adversely influencing operative times or perioperative outcomes compared to PM alone.

Feasibility and safety of robotic liver resection for huge (≥10 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma in a single centre: A propensity score-matched single-surgeon study

BACKGROUND

The applicability of robot-assisted resection for huge hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of ≥10 cm remains contentious with limited available data.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis involved 337 patients who underwent robotic liver resection for HCC by a single surgeon. Propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to compare perioperative indicators between patients with regular and huge HCC.

RESULTS

The regular HCC group exhibited a shorter median operative duration than the huge HCC group. The IWATE criteria revealed higher scores in the huge HCC group than in the regular HCC group. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in Pringle time, drainage tube removal, duration of hospital stays, blood loss volume, blood product transfusion, margin status, conversion rate to open surgery, bile leakage, in-hospital mortality, and reoperation rate.

CONCLUSION

Robotic liver resection is feasible for huge HCC, with effective perioperative risk management potentially improving outcomes for subsequent minimally invasive surgeries.

Anesthesia Management in Laparoscopic Donor Hepatectomy: The First Report from Turkey

BACKGROUND

We aimed to report a single-center experience in laparoscopic donor left-side and right-side hepatectomy cases regarding preoperative evaluation, perioperative and anesthetic management protocols, and postoperative follow-up.

METHODS

Laparoscopic donor left-side and right-side hepatectomy cases were included in the study because of their excessive transection area and bleeding potential. Medical records of living donors were reviewed in terms of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), presence of consanguinity with the recipient, perioperative and early postoperative biochemical parameters, hemodynamic changes during surgery, duration of surgery, the ratio of liver volume to total liver volume, perioperative complications, and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

Eighty-one laparoscopic living-donor hepatectomy procedures were performed in our unit between 2018 and 2022. Six laparoscopic donor right-side cases and two left-side cases were retrospectively reviewed. Donors' mean age and BMI were 29.6 ± 8.6 years and 23.1 ± 4.3, respectively. The average weights of the right and left lobe liver grafts were 727 g and 279 g, respectively, constituting 65.8% and 22.7% of the total liver volume, respectively. The mean operation time was 593 ± 94 minutes, and the mean volume of blood loss was 437 ± 294 mL. A major complication, namely portal vein stenosis, developed in 1 donor (1/8), and portal vein patency was achieved postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Anesthesia management and teamwork between surgeons and anesthesiologists are the most important building blocks for donor safety, which is of the utmost priority. Effective communication and cooperation in the operating room may prevent potential donor complications and improve postoperative recovery time.

Laparoscopic hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma in a patient with congenital factor V deficiency: a case report

BACKGROUND

Factor V (FV) deficiency is an extremely rare disease, with an incidence of 1 in 1 million. The bleeding symptoms are mild, and the prognosis is good; however, the safety of surgical treatment is unclear, because there are few available reports. Herein, we report a case of hepatocellular carcinoma with congenital FV deficiency in a patient who safely underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 79-year-old man, diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma of liver segment 5, with type C cirrhosis and sustained virological response visited our hospital. He had congenital FV deficiency, and blood tests showed coagulation deficiencies with an FV activity of < 2.6%, prothrombin time activity of 11%, and activated partial thromboplastin time of 100.3 s. Surgery and radiofrequency ablation were considered for treatment. Since the tumor was in contact with the Glissonean pedicle 5 + 6, surgery was judged to be superior from the viewpoint of safety and curability. After discussing the safety of the surgery with a hematologist, it was determined that the operation could be performed safely by transfusing sufficient fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Laparoscopic hepatic segment 5 + 6 subsegmental resection was performed with FFP transfusion, fluid restriction, airway pressure control, and central venous pressure reduction to control the bleeding. Bleeding was minimized during the transection of the liver parenchyma and no bleeding tendency was observed. The operative time was 445 min, and the amount of intraoperative bleeding was 171 mL. No complications, such as postoperative bleeding, were observed, and the patient was discharged on the eighth postoperative day.

CONCLUSIONS

Liver surgery can be performed safely in FV-deficient patients with strict coagulation capacity monitoring and appropriate transfusion of FFP. Preoperative evaluation of cardiac function to determine tolerance to high doses of FFP and ingenuity of surgery and intraoperative management to minimize blood loss are important.

Anatomy of the Middle Hepatic Vein Tributaries to Promote Safer Hepatic Vein-Guided Liver Resection

BACKGROUND

In laparoscopic anatomic liver resection, an increasingly common procedure, the hepatic vein-guided approach is widely used although the hepatic vein tributaries can be a major source of bleeding in the event of inadvertent injury. This report describes the anatomy of the middle hepatic vein (MHV) including its tributaries based on reconstructed three-dimensional computed tomography images and provides anatomic data to enable safe middle hepatic vein-guided liver resection.

METHODS

Following simulation modeling of the hepatic vasculatures, reconstructed MHV data was pooled from 35 healthy liver donors. Yields of the MHV tributaries were analyzed to enable MHV-guided liver resection.

RESULTS

A total of 252 tributaries were identified in the 35 donors. The MHV yielded fewer tributaries from its anterior and posterior aspects than from its right-side and left-side aspects (40 [15.9%], 13 [5.2%], 93 [36.9%], and 106 [42.1%], respectively). The MHV tributaries from the anterior and posterior aspects were smaller in diameter than those from the right-side and left-side aspects (median, 3.0, 2.0, 4.8, and 4.0 mm, respectively).

DISCUSSION

Our simulation revealed that MHV dissection from the anterior or posterior aspect poses a lower risk of injury to the MHV tributaries compared to dissection from either lateral aspect. In addition, MHV dissection from the anterior or posterior aspect allows for safer identification and isolation of the thick MHV tributaries originating from the lateral aspects. Ideally, the anterior or posterior aspect of the MHV should be accessed and exposed before the lateral aspects are dissected to minimize the risk of MHV tributary injury.

Minimally Invasive Surgery for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Patient Selection and Special Considerations

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is an aggressive primary hepatic malignancy. Unfortunately, despite advancements in diagnosis, staging and management, mortality is high. Surgery remains the only curative treatment, but many patients present with advanced, unresectable disease. For patients able to undergo surgical resection, overall survival is improved, but remains low, with high rates of disease recurrence. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS), including laparoscopic and robotic approaches, are increasingly used in surgical resection for ICC. These approaches variably demonstrate faster recovery times, less blood loss, decreased postoperative pain and fewer postoperative complications, with adequate oncologic resections. This review examines patient selection and special considerations for MIS for ICC. Patient selection is critical and includes evaluation of a patient’s anatomic and oncologic resectability, as well as comorbidities.

Perioperative blood transfusion and resection of colorectal cancer liver metastases: outcomes in routine clinical practice

BACKGROUND

Prior work has shown associations between blood transfusion (BT) and inferior outcomes during resection for colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM). Herein, we describe short and long-term outcomes relating to perioperative BT in routine clinical practice.

METHODS

All CRLM resections in Ontario, Canada from 2002 to 2009 were identified using the Ontario Cancer Registry. Log-binomial regression and Cox regression were used to explore factors associated with receipt of BT and the association of BT with 5-year cancer specific (CSS) and overall survival (OS), respectively.

RESULTS

The study included 1310 patients; 31% (403/1310) had perioperative BT. Transfused patients had longer median length of stay (9 vs. 7 days, p < 0.001), higher 90-day mortality (9% vs. 1%, p < 0.001), greater 90-day readmission (28% vs. 16%, p < 0.001), and inferior 5-year CSS (41% vs. 48%, p = <0.001) and OS (38% vs. 47%, p < 0.001). Transfusion was independently associated with inferior CSS (HR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.11-1.63) and OS (HR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.10-1.53), however, excluding 90-day postoperative deaths showed these associations were no longer significant.

CONCLUSION

Perioperative BT is common in patients undergoing resection of CRLM. While transfusion is associated with greater morbidity, mortality, and inferior survival, after excluding early postoperative deaths, BT does not appear to be independently associated with CSS or OS.

Postoperative pain after intrathecal analgesia in laparoscopic liver resection: a retrospective chart review

BACKGROUND

Intrathecal analgesia (IA) has been recommended by the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society for laparoscopic colon resections; however, although IA is used in open liver resections, it has not been extensively studied in laparoscopic hepatobiliary surgery. This retrospective chart review was undertaken to explore postoperative pain within 48 hours among patients who underwent laparoscopic liver resections (LLR), receiving either IA with or without patient-controlled analgesia (IA±PCA) versus PCA alone.

METHODS

After ethics approval, charts were reviewed for adult patients who underwent LLR between January 2016 and April 2019, and had IA±PCA or PCA alone. Patients with any contraindication to IA with morphine, obstructive sleep apnea, body mass index >40 kg/m2, history of chronic pain, and/or history of drug use were excluded. Descriptive statistics used to describe postoperative pain levels at 48 hours by treatment group for each pain outcome.

RESULTS

Of 111 patients identified, 79 patients were finally included; 22 patients had IA±PCA and 57 patients had PCA only. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics, use of non-opioid pain control, and postoperative complications between the two groups. IA use was associated with reduced postoperative opioid consumption (measured in oral morphine equivalents) compared to PCA alone (mean difference [95% confidence interval] -45.92 [-83.10 to -8.75]; p=0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

IA has the potential to decrease postoperative opioid use for patients undergoing LLR, and appears to be safe and effective in the setting of LLR. These findings are consistent with the ERAS Society recommendations for laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Robotic anatomic isolated complete caudate lobectomy: Left-side approach and techniques

BACKGROUND

To demonstrate the surgical procedures and techniques of the robotic anatomical isolated complete caudate lobectomy.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on the demographic, operative, postoperative outcomes of seven patients who underwent robotic anatomical isolated complete caudate lobectomy at our department from January 2018 to November 2019. Mobilization of the left lateral and Spiegel lobe, dissection of the short hepatic veins and liver parenchyma transection from the dorsal plane of middle and right hepatic vein were crucial procedures for the robotic left-side approach. Anatomic complete caudate lobectomy was defined as total removal of the caudate lobe, in which the dorsal middle and right hepatic vein, the inferior vena cava and its right side were fully exposed on the raw surface.

RESULTS

All patients successfully underwent the robotic anatomical isolated caudate lobectomy with a left-side approach without conversion to laparotomy, and without Clavien-Dindo Grade III or higher complications. The average tumor diameter was 65.00 ± 10.61 mm, the average operation time was 212.00 ± 74.53 min, the median bleeding loss was 100 mL, and the average postoperative hospital stay was 8.71 ± 4.89 d, respectively. There were four patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma, one with tumor recurrence five months after surgery and three patients were free of recurrence. All patients survived at the last follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Robotic anatomical isolated complete caudate lobectomy with a left-sided approach is safe and feasible for selected patients.

Successful robotic radical resection of hepatic echinococcosis located in posterosuperior liver segments

BACKGROUND

Radical resection is an important treatment method for hepatic echinococcosis. The posterosuperior segments of the liver remain the most challenging region for laparoscopic or robotic hepatectomy.

AIM

To demonstrate the safety and preliminary experience of robotic radical resection of cystic and alveolar echinococcosis in posterosuperior liver segments.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 5 patients with a median age of 37 years (21-56 years) with cystic and alveolar echinococcosis in difficult liver lesions admitted to two centers from September to December 2019. The surgical methods included total pericystectomy, segmental hepatectomy, or hemihepatectomy.

RESULTS

Among the 5 patients, 4 presented with cystic echinococcosis and 1 presented with alveolar echinococcosis, all of whom underwent robotic radical operation successfully without conversion to laparotomy. Total caudate lobectomy was performed in 2 cases, hepatectomy of segment VII in 1 case, total pericystectomy of segment VIII in 1 case, and right hemihepatectomy in 1 case. Operation time was 225 min (175-300 min); blood loss was 100 mL (50-600 mL); and postoperative hospital stay duration was 10 d (5-19 d). The Clavien-Dindo complication grade was I in 4 cases and II in 1 case. No recurrence of echinococcosis was found in any patient at the 3 mo of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Robotic radical surgery for cystic and selected alveolar echinococcosis in posterosuperior liver segments is safe and feasible.

Safe and Effective Use of Bilateral Erector Spinae Block in Patient Suffering from Post-Operative Coagulopathy Following Hepatectomy

Patient: Male, 75-year-old

Final Diagnosis: Cholangiocarcinoma

Symptoms: Postoperative pain

Medication:—

Clinical Procedure: Continuous erector spinae nerve block

Specialty: Oncology

Laparoscopic liver resection in elderly patients: systematic review and meta-analysis

Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) is becoming standard practice, replacing the open approach in terms of safety and feasibility. However, few data are available for the elderly. The objective of this study is to assess the feasibility of LLR in elderly patients, by making a comparison with open liver resection (OLR) and with non-elderly patients. Relevant studies found in the Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science were used in order to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nine fully extracted comparative studies were included and two groups were identified: Group 1 with a comparison between OLR and LLR in the elderly and Group 2 with a focus on differences after LLR between elderly and non-elderly patients. A total number of 497 elderly patients who underwent LLR were analyzed. A random effect model was used for the meta-analysis. In Group 1, 1025 elderly patients were included: 640 underwent OLR and 385 underwent LLR. LLR was associated with minor blood loss (MD - 240 mL, 95% CI - 416.61, - 63.55; p 0.008; I² = 96%), less transfusion (8% vs. 13.1%; RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.41, 0.91; p = 0.02; I² = 0%), fewer postoperative Clavien-Dindo III/IV complications (RR 0.48 in favor of LLR; 95% CI 0.29, 0.77; p = 0.003; I² = 0%). On the other hand, no significant difference was observed in terms of bile leakage, ascites, mortality, liver failure, or R0 resection. Group 2 included 112 elderly and 276 non-elderly patients who underwent LLR. The meta-analysis showed no significant difference in terms of blood loss, transfusions, liver failure, Clavien-Dindo III/IV complications, postoperative mortality, ascites, bile leak, hospital stay, R0 resection, and operative time. Laparoscopic liver resection is a safe and feasible procedure for elderly patients. However, further randomized studies are required to confirm this.

Conceptual framework of middle hepatic vein anatomy as a roadmap for safe right hepatectomy

BACKGROUND

While the middle hepatic vein (MHV) guides parenchymal transection during right hepatectomy, its most proximal tributaries can be difficult to identify, and injury to its tributaries can be a source of major bleeding.

METHOD

Following simulation modeling of right hepatectomy, reconstructed MHV data was pooled from 40 patients. MHV-tributaries and MHV-relationship to the portal pedicle were mapped out to facilitate their identification from the beginning of parenchymal transection.

RESULTS

Hotspots for injury were identified: A median of 1 (1-3) tributaries draining segment 5 (V5) were within 45-90mm from the MHV termination, and 16mm above and 22mm caudal to the portal trunk. Simulation demonstrated a constant anatomic relationship between portal pedicle and the proximal MHV. A median of 2 (0-4) tributaries draining segment 8 (V8) were located 9-35mm from the MHV termination. This information was compiled into an "MHV-road-map" demonstrating 86% of the MHV tributaries at risk for significant bleeding are within 15mm of the MHV, while only thin tributaries are located in the outer area.

CONCLUSIONS

The MHV-road-map led to a peripheral-to-central parenchymal transection approach to minimize the risk of MHV-injury thereby reducing bleeding during open and minimally invasive right hepatectomy.

Laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy is suitable as a first step in pure laparoscopic major hepatectomy

AIM

As a procedure, major laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) remains in the exploration phase. Previous studies have assessed major LLR en bloc, including hepatectomies of varying complexities; however, the number of segments alone does not convey the complexity of a resection. This study aimed to assess operative outcomes of LLR procedures with more than one sectionectomy, and to identify the best procedure as a first step when learning to carry out major LLR in order to make LLR a safer, more widely used procedure.

METHODS

We carried out a retrospective review of the operative outcomes of 120 consecutive patients who underwent pure LLR with more than one sectionectomy. Operative outcomes were compared according to the complexity classification recently published, and the learning curve for each LLR procedure was assessed and compared.

RESULTS

Operative outcomes, including operative time, blood loss, and the comprehensive complication index, were significantly stratified according to complexity. There were significant differences in operative outcomes among the medium complexity procedures. The operative time for left hemihepatectomy was the shortest, and the amount of blood loss was the lowest among the medium complexity LLR. Operative times for left hemihepatectomy shortened significantly with time and experience (r = -0.639), and the slope of the learning curve was steeper than for right hemihepatectomy and right posterior sectionectomy.

CONCLUSION

Left hemihepatectomy is suitable as a first step in pure laparoscopic major hepatectomy and, given its safety and rapid learning curve for surgeons, it could become the gold standard procedure.

[Identical oncological results with lower perioperative morbidity after laparoscopic liver resection : Results of a matched pair analysis]

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic liver resection belongs to the standard repertoire in hepatobiliary surgery. The advantages and disadvantages are still the subject of controversial discussion.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to compare the perioperative and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic and open liver resections.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

All patients who underwent liver resection in the Department of Surgery at the certified liver center of the  municipal hospital Karlsruhe were analyzed. From a total of 268 hepatic resections 65 laparoscopic liver resections were identified and matched 1:1 with 65 open resections, based primarily on the extent of the resection and secondarily on diagnosis, age and gender of the patients. The demographic data, comorbidities, perioperative and long-term outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

Both groups had comparable demographic parameters and comorbidities. Operation time, duration of intensive care stay and percentage of negative resection margins were comparable in both groups. The 30-day mortality was 0% and 90-day mortality 1.5% in both groups. The laparoscopic group showed lower intraoperative and postoperative transfusion rates (p < 0.001), shorter hospital stay (p < 0.001) and lower overall morbidity (p < 0.001). The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall and tumor-free survival of patients with colorectal liver metastases was comparable (p = 0.984; p = 0.947). The same applied for patients with hepatocellular carcinomas (p = 0.803; p = 0.935).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic liver resections have identical long-term outcomes with lower overall morbidity. Laparoscopic liver resections offer advantages regarding transfusion rates, length of hospital stay and postoperative complications.