Simplified hepatic resections with the use of a Chang's needle

Photo-crosslinked adhesive hydrogel loaded with extracellular vesicles promoting hemostasis and liver regeneration

Hepatectomy is an effective surgical method for the treatment of liver diseases, but intraoperative bleeding and postoperative liver function recovery are still key issues. This study aims to develop a composite hydrogel dressing with excellent hemostatic properties, biocompatibility, and ability to promote liver cell regeneration. The modified gelatin matrix (GelMA, 10%) was mixed with equal volumes of sodium alginate-dopamine (Alg-DA) at concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, and 2%. Then a cross-linking agent (0.1%) was added to prepare different composite hydrogels under UV light, named GelMA/Alg-DA-0.5, GelMA/Alg-DA-1 and GelMA/Alg-DA-2, respectively. All the prepared hydrogel has a porous structure with a porosity greater than 65%, and could be stabilized in a gel state after being cross-linked by ultraviolet light. Physicochemical characterization showed that the elastic modulus, water absorption, adhesion, and compressibility of the composite hydrogels were improved with increasing Alg-DA content. Furthermore, the prepared hydrogel exhibits in vitro degradability, excellent biocompatibility, and good hemostatic function. Among all tested groups, the group of GelMA/Alg-DA-1 hydrogel performed the best. To further enhance its application potential in the field of liver regeneration, adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell exosomes (AD-MSC-Exo) were loaded into GelMA/Alg-DA-1 hydrogel. Under the same conditions, GelMA/Alg-DA-1/Exo promoted cell proliferation and migration more effectively than hydrogels without extracellular vesicles. In conclusion, the prepared GelMA/Alg-DA-1 composite hydrogel loaded with AD-MSC-Exo has great application potential in liver wound hemostasis and liver regeneration.

Laparoscopic central hepatectomy using a parenchymal-first approach: how we do it

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic central hepatectomy (LCH) is a difficult and challenging procedure. This study aimed to describe our experience with LCH using a parenchymal-first approach.

METHODS

Between July 2017 and June 2021, 19 consecutive patients underwent LCH using a parenchymal-first approach at our institution. Herein, the details of this procedural strategy are described, and the demographic and clinical data of the included patients were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 1 female and 18 male patients, all with hepatocellular carcinoma without major vascular invasion. The mean age was 57 ± 10 years. No patients underwent conversion to open surgery, and no blood transfusions were needed intraoperatively. The average operative duration and the average Pringle maneuver duration were 223 ± 65 min and 58 ± 11 min. respectively. The median blood loss was 200 ml (range: 100-800 ml). Postoperative morbidities occurred in 3 patients (15.8%), including 2 cases of bile leakage and 1 case of acquired pulmonary infection; there were no postoperative complications happened such as bleeding, hepatic failure, or mortality. The average postoperative hospital stay was 10 ± 3 days.

CONCLUSION

The optimized procedure of LCH using a parenchymal-first approach is not only feasible but also expected to provide an advantage in laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy.

The usefulness of the totally intra-corporeal pringle maneuver with Penrose drain tube during laparoscopic left side liver resection

Backgrounds/Aims

The Pringle maneuver is generally performed to reduce the amount of blood loss during hepatic resection. During laparoscopic liver resection, the Pringle maneuver can be used in several ways. We have developed a new Pringle maneuver (PM) with Penrose drain tube to sufficiently control blood loss during laparoscopic liver resection. This study was performed to determine the safety and outcome during laparoscopic left-sided hepatectomy performed using this new method.

Methods

We describe the technique and results of the left-sided liver resection with totally intracorporeal PM with Penrose drain tube. We performed 37 laparoscopic left-sided hepatic resections with (PM group) or without the Penrose PM (No PM group). We retrospectively compared the short-term operative outcome between the No PM group (n=12) and the PM group (n=25) during laparoscopic left-sided liver resection.

Results

Median PM duration was 34.3 min. The median duration of the surgery using the totally intracorporeal PM with Penrose drain tube was 174 min, while the surgical duration required for resection without the PM was 156 min. The median volume of operative blood loss was lower in the PM group than in the No PM group (No PM group (341 ml) vs. PM group (165 ml)). There was no postoperative mortality and no open conversion.

Conclusions

The totally intracorporeal PM with Penrose drain tube for laparoscopic hepatectomy is safe, reproducible, and can facilitate liver dissection during left-sided liver resection.

Clinical Value of Trans-parenchymal Compressing Suture to Decrease the Cutting Surface Related Complications after Non-anatomical Liver Resection

Non-anatomical liver resection with appropriate resection margin is regarded as a potential curative treatment for selected major hepatic carcinoma due to preserving maximal normal liver, especially in cirrhotic patients. But occurrence of cutting surface related complications becomes a main challenge. From June 2010 to June 2016, 448 patients with major hepatic carcinoma received non-anatomical liver resection in our liver surgery center. After excluding 66 cases that were incongruent with the purpose of study, 235 patients undergoing transparenchymal compressing suture (TCS) to "not good" cutting surface were allocated as study group; 147 patients with exposed surface (ES) were matched as control group. The characteristics of postoperative drainage, postoperative hepatic and renal functions, hospital days, and outcomes were collected retrospectively. We further compared cutting surface related complications under different levels of liver cirrhosis between the two groups. Compared with ES group, patients in TCS group had a decreased incidence of cutting surface related complications (14.3% vs. 6.8%, P=0.011) and a decreased probability of interventions for cutting surface related complications (8.2% vs. 3.4%, P=0.042). TCS application was much more effective to prevent cutting surface related complications in patients with moderate and severe cirrhosis (5.4% vs. 15.8%, P=0.003). Postoperative hepatic and renal function, hospital days and mortality did not differ between the two groups. In conclusion, TCS decreases the probability of cutting surface related complications and postoperative interventions for related complications, especially in patients with moderate and severe cirrhosis.

Progress of liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in Taiwan

Taiwan is a well-known endemic area of hepatitis B. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has consistently been the first or second highest cause of cancer death over the past 20 years. This review article describes the progress of liver resection for HCC in Taiwan in the past half century. The mortality rate for HCC resection was 15-30% in Taiwan in the 1970s. The rate decreased to 8-12% in the early 1990s, and it declined to <1-3% recently. The development of new operative instruments, and surgical techniques, increased knowledge of liver anatomy and pathophysiology after hepatectomy, and more precise patient selection have contributed to this improvement. The use of intermittent hepatic inflow blood occlusion, a restrictive blood transfusion policy and intraoperative ultrasonography, have also led to substantial improvements in resectability and safety for HCC resection in Taiwan. Advances in non-operative modalities for HCC treatment have also helped to improve long-term outcomes of HCC resection. Technical innovations have allowed the application of complex procedures such as mesohepatectomy, unroofing hepatectomy, major portal vein thrombectomy, hepatic vein reconstruction in resection of the cranial part with preservation of the caudal part of the liver, and inferior vena cava and right atrium tumor thrombectomy under cardiopulmonary bypass. In selected patients, including patients with end-stage renal failure, renal graft recipients, patients with portal hypertension, hypersplenic thrombocytopenia and/or associated gastroesophageal varices, octogenarian, ruptured HCC, recurrent HCC and metastatic HCC can also be resected with satisfactory survival benefits. We conclude that the results of liver resection for HCC in Taiwan are improving. The indications for HCC resection continue extending with lower the surgical risks and increasing the long-term survival rate.

Pringle's Maneuver With a Releasable Insulok Band

BACKGROUND

Currently, there are many conventional instruments being applied to perform hepatic inflow control, the Pringle's maneuver, distal to the hepatic hilum during hepatic resections. We wondered if a commonly used Insulok band can be added.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Insulok band is a plastic tying device molded in one piece with an excellent cam-lock mechanism. We have applied releasable Insulok band to the Pringle's maneuver in 10 partial hepatectomy cases, which are not suitable for application of Chang's needle. After opening the lesser omentum, the band was passed through the Winslow foramen to the lesser sac, and the portal triad was occluded by locking the band. During the intermittent reperfusion period, this Insulok band allowed easy and fast control of hepatic inflow with its simple releasable locking device.

RESULTS

Single inflow block was used on 6 cases while repeated block on 4 cases for partial hepatectomy. The average ischemic time was 15.2 ± 8.2 minutes with an interval of 5 minutes. There was neither procedure-related morbidity nor mortality. No patient had developed postoperative hepatic failure or prolonged liver dysfunction. The efficacy of bleeding control was excellent and the average blood loss during Pringle's maneuver was 6 ± 12.6 mL. Furthermore, locking and unlocking of the Insulok band each took only 5 seconds.

CONCLUSION

Releasable Insulok band is a simpler, faster, cheaper, and safe alternative to the conventional methods for blocking hepatic inflow in Pringle's maneuver, especially in those cases not suitable for using the Chang's needle.

The past and present of liver suture

Since the first attempts at resecting parts of diseased livers in the late nineteenth century, hemorrhage has been the main obstacle for surgeons. One of the first hemostasis techniques in liver resection was liver suture. The idea of suturing the liver in order to perform resection was proposed by a team of Russian and Polish surgeons from Kharkiv University in today's Ukraine. The liver suture became widely popular and has been used in various forms throughout the surgical world. Further into the twentieth century, it has lost much of its popularity; however, over more than 100 years of existence it has seen several peaks in interest. Currently, it is still being used by some liver surgeons as it is one of the cheapest ways of obtaining a bloodless liver parenchyma transection.

Mesohepatectomy for the treatment of patients with centrally located hepatocellular carcinoma

Mesohepatectomy is considered a feasible option for patients with centrally located hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, mesohepatectomy is a technically demanding and less frequently used procedure. In this study, we summarized the surgical experience and evaluated the clinical outcomes of mesohepatectomy in 24 patients with centrally located HCC. Of these patients, 9 were treated with hepatectomy of Couinaud's segments IV, V and VIII with concurrent cholecystectomy; 8 underwent resection of segments IVb, V and VIII, including 7 patients who also received a cholecystectomy; 4 underwent hepatectomy of segments IVa, V and VIII; and 3 patients were treated with hepatectomy of segments I, IV, V and VIII, with concurrent cholecystectomy. The Pringle maneuver was used on 17 patients during hepatectomy. Total hepatic vascular exclusion (HVE) was performed on 3 patients and HVE was not used on 4 patients. The average mesohepatectomy operative time was 238 min and the average intraoperative blood loss was 480 ml (200-2,200 ml). There was no intraoperative mortality and the postoperative morbidity rate was 25% (6/24). The 1- and 3-year overall survival rates were 76 and 46%, respectively. Therefore, mesohepatectomy is a safe and effective surgical procedure for the treatment of centrally located HCC and HVE during mesohepatectomy for centrally located HCC is crucial to the success of the operation and postoperative patient recovery.

Non-Anatomic Hepatic Resection Using Chang's Needle for Porcelain Gallbladder

We present a simple technique of nonanatomic resection of liver parenchyma for porcelain gallbladder infiltrating gallbladder bed, that is, segments IVb and V of the liver. The resection has been carried out with the use of straight 18-gauge stainless steel multi-use needle designed for hepatic resections (Chang's needle). This simple, safe, and cost-effective technique can be used for nonanatomic liver resections by surgeons less experienced in liver surgery.

A novel liver parenchyma transection technique using locking straight rigid ties. An experimental study in pigs

INTRODUCTION

Technological advances have led to the development of many devices used in liver resections. However, no single transection tool is uniformly considered to be better than the others. This study aimed to develop an effective, fast, and cost-efficient technique for hepatic parenchymal transection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A liver parenchyma compression device in the form of a locking straight rigid tie (LoStRiT) was newly developed. Twelve pigs were distributed into two groups. The control group ( n = 6) comprised animals that underwent hepatectomy using the standard Kelly-clysis technique. The study group (n = 6) comprised animals that underwent hepatectomy using sequential LoStRiT mechanisms. The transection speed, blood loss, and biloma formation were recorded.

RESULTS

The mean parenchymal transection speed was 1.27 ± 0.27 cm(2)/min for the control group and 2.39 ± 0.56 cm(2)/min for the LoStRiT group ( p = .003). The mean blood loss per kilogram of body weight was 9.8 ± 5.2 ml/kg for the control group and 3.9 ± 0.9 ml/kg for the LoStRiT group ( p = .040). No bilomas were identified.

CONCLUSION

LoStRiT hepatectomy appears to be effective, fast, and reproducible in a porcine model of liver resection. Further development of this novel and potentially cost-efficient technique includes construction of the device using absorbable materials.

Bleeding in Hepatic Surgery: Sorting through Methods to Prevent It

Liver resections are demanding operations which can have life threatening complications although they are performed by experienced liver surgeons. The parameter “Blood Loss” has a central role in liver surgery, and different strategies to minimize it are a key to improve results. Moreover, recently, new technologies are applied in the field of liver surgery, having one goal: safer and easier liver operations. The aim of this paper is to review the different principal solutions to the problem of blood loss in hepatic surgery, focusing on technical aspects of new devices.

Dual-row needle arrays under an electromagnetic thermotherapy system for bloodless liver resection surgery

Electromagnetic thermotherapy has been extensively investigated recently and may become a new surgical modality for a variety of medical applications. It applies a high-frequency alternating magnetic field to heat up magnetic materials inserted within the human body to generate tissue coagulation or cell apoptosis. Using a new procedure with dual-row needle arrays under an electromagnetic thermotherapy system with a feedback temperature control system, this study demonstrates bloodless porcine liver resection, which is challenging using existing methods. In vitro experiments showed that hollowed, stainless-steel needles could be heated up to more than 300 °C within 30 s when centered under the induction coils of the electromagnetic thermotherapy system. In order to generate a wide ablation zone and to prevent the dual-row needle arrays from sticking to the tissue after heating, a constant temperature of 120 °C was applied using a specific treatment protocol. The temperature distribution in the porcine livers was also measured to explore the effective coagulation area. Liver resection was then performed in Lan-Yu pigs. Experimental results showed that seven pigs underwent liver resection without bleeding during surgery and no complications afterward. The dual-row needle arrays combined with the electromagnetic thermotherapy system are thus shown to be promising for bloodless tissue resection.

Bloodless Liver Resection Using Needle Arrays Under Alternating Electromagnetic Fields

Background/Aim: Hemostasis is a major difficulty associated with hepatectomies. The authors designed a new thermal surgery system to reduce blood loss. Methods: The newly designed system consists of an alternating magnetic field generator and stainless steel needle arrays with thermosensitive bands. Lanyu pigs were used: 4 for the Kelly crushing method and 4 for the newly designed method. The procedures used were S4-S5 segmentectomies or left lateral segmentectomies, after which the amount of blood loss and operation times were compared. The pigs were observed for 4 weeks, after which liver pathologies were studied. Results: The blood loss in the method proposed by the authors was almost 0 mL, whereas with the Kelly crushing method it was 116 ± 35 mL. The method proposed in this study can save 15 to 25 minutes of operation time. The resected liver margins exhibited prominent apoptosis and fibrotic change in the remnant livers. Conclusions: The method proposed is a novel new way of performing thermal surgery.

A new method for hepatic resection and hemostasis: absorbable plaque and suture

OBJECTIVE

Blunt and penetrating hepatic injuries are conditions that are frequently encountered in emergency surgeries, and they involve high mortality morbidity. In the handling of such injuries, methods ranging from the application of simple cauterization and suturing for hemostasis to hepatic lobectomies, which might involve the removal of the greater part of the organ, have been defined. Due to the organ's fragility and susceptibility to bleeding, elective hepatic resections necessitate both surgical experience and technological equipment. Therefore, the demand still exists for an affordable and easy-to-use-method that could be applied by all centers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To meet this demand, we have developed a method of hemorrhage control via sutures supported by absorbable plaques that provide effective compression and prevent the suture from cutting the tissue during the application of the sutures in the treatment of such fragile organs as the liver. In our method, we have achieved hemostasis by bilaterally compressing the tissue through strong ties after placing, on the part of the tissue on which the sutures are applied, absorbable and flexible plaques that prevent the suture from cutting the tissue during the application of a polyglactin suture to the solid organ. To prevent dislocation of the plaques, we have fastened the sutures by reeving them through the holes made in the plaques.

RESULTS

We have demonstrated the success and the practicality of our method by applying it on four pigs; we experimentally inflicted hepatic injuries on two pigs, and we performed resection on the other two pigs. The hepatic hemorrhages we developed in both of the animals were successfully restrained by the use of our method. On the other hand, two resections were performed on the right and left lobes of the other two animals. There were no hemorrhages during the surgery, and the procedure took 45 minutes in total. No postoperative complications occurred. While the liver function test values were high on the seventh day, due to the operation, they were observed to be normal on the thirtieth day. After the laparotomies, performed six months later, we observed that the plaques as well as the sutures were absorbed and that the injured tissues were completely healed. Additionally, it was observed during the pathological examination that the tissues beneath the area of application were healed through fibrosis and that the liver had no other pathologies.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, we believe that the method can be safely used in hepatic resections or traumatic hemorrhages in the proper locations.

Blocking intrahepatic inflow and backflow using Chang's needle during hepatic resection: Chang's maneuver

BACKGROUND

Chang's needle is a straight, 18-gauge stainless steel needle with a hook near its top to catch the thread and can be used for various hepatic resections. Since its introduction in 1996, accumulated experience has shown that using Chang's needle is simple and safe. We recently explored a new application for the needle with an intrahepatic vascular block during hepatic resections.

METHODS

Using Chang's needle makes whole-thickness interlocking sutures of the liver possible. One or two rows of multiple sutures secure the inflow and backflow while allowing a hepatic parenchymal division with less blood loss. Under ultrasound guidance, single temporary sutures can be made in the respective branches of the Glisson sheath to block inflow, and, on the right or left hepatic vein, to block backflow as well.

RESULTS

We did 89 hepatic resections without specifically aimed inflow or backflow blocks, including 12 right lobectomies, three trisegmentectomies, 21 bisegmentectomies, and 15 segmentectomies. Twenty-seven patients had mild to severe liver cirrhosis. Specifically aimed inflow blocks for partial hepatic resections were done on the Glisson sheath (G) of segment 8 (two patients), segment 6 (one patient), and segment 3 (one patient). One patient with a G8 block had a concomitant backflow block of the right hepatic vein. Overall, there was no procedure-related mortality or hepatic failure. Ischemia and reperfusion induced liver function deterioration was minimal in the group with this kind of temporary vascular blocks.

CONCLUSION

In addition to hepatic resections, Chang's maneuver can be used for intrahepatic individual inflow or backflow blocks, or both, to minimize ischemic and reperfusion injuries.