Application of three-dimensional visualization technology in surgical treatment for patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis

Abstract

To determine the clinical value of three-dimensional(3D) visualization technology in pre-operative assessment and surgical planning for patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. Eighty-five hepatic alveolar echinococcosis patients received surgical treatment in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between May 2011 and May 2015.3D reconstruction and virtual surgeries were performed on diseased livers using a 3D visualization reconstruction system for liver, which based on the data set of 64-slice CT from those patients and indicated the feasibility and safety of liver resection. The pre-operative measurement results were compared with intra-operative conditions to verify the accuracy of pre-operative evaluation. All surgical strategies of patients underwent surgical treatment(59 of 85 received traditional liver resection and 26 of 85 received liver auto-transplantation)were consistent with pre-operative surgical planning in 3D reconstruction. Furthermore, the pre-operative resection liver volume((751±510)cm(3)) estimated by 3D calculation method was positively correlated with the actual weight((777±567)g) after the surgery(r=0.990), and the error rate was 4.7%; the pre-operative remaining liver volume((829±157)cm(3)) estimated by 3D calculation method was positively correlated with the actual weight((770±206) g) after the surgery(r=0.978). Patients were followed for 6-46 months after the surgery, and 3 post-operative death and 2 recurrence (one case received secondary surgery and one case received drug therapy) were reported during the follow-up period. A liver 3D visualization technology has application value in the pre-assessment and surgical planning.When it combined with ultrasound, CT and MRI, traditional examinations, the liver 3D visualization technology can effectively improve the success rate of operation, reduce the risks of surgery.