Application value of extra-glissonian pedicle transection approach guided by arantius′ ligament in laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy

Abstract

Objective To explore the application value of the extra-glissonian pedicle transection approach guided by arantius′ ligament in laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy. Methods The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinical data of 57 patients who underwent laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 2015 to January 2018 were collected. There were 18 males and 39 females, aged from 29 to 75 years, with an average age of 57 years. Of the 57 patients, 22 undergoing the laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy with extra-glissonian pedicle transection approach guided by arantius′ ligament and 35 undergoing laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy with regular intra-glissonian pedicle transection approach were allocated into the extra-glissonian transection group and intra-glissonian transection group, respectively. Observation indicators: (1) intraoperative situations and postoperative short-term outcomes; (2) postoperative complications; (3) follow-up. Patients were followed up by outpatient examination and telephone interview to investigate postoperative recurrence of diseases up to June 2018. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD and comparison between groups was analyzed using the t test.Count data were described as absolute number or percentage and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test. Results (1) Intraoperative situations and postoperative short-term outcomes: the operation time, dissection time of left hepatic pedicle, volume of intraoperative blood loss were (123±37)minutes, (14±5)minutes, (337±169)mL in the extra-glissonian transection group and (148±27)minutes, (22±3)minutes, (495±203)mL in the intra-glissonian transection group, respectively, showing statistically significant differences between the two groups (t=2.992, 7.733, 3.045, P 0.05). There was no uncontrolled hemorrhage or air embolism in the two groups. (2) Postoperative complications: 3 patients had complications of Clavien-Dindo classification Ⅰ in the extra-glissonian transection group including 1 of pulmonary infection, 1 of abdominal infection, 1 of incisional infection and 7 had complications in the intra-glissonian transection group including 2 of pulmonary infection, 2 of liver sectional effusion, 1 of subphrenic abscess, 1 of biliary leakage, 1 of incisional infection, showing no statistically significant difference between the two groups (χ2=0.066, P>0.05). Patients with postoperative complications were cured and discharged after symptomatic treatment. There was no perioperative death in the two groups. (3) Follow-up: 57 patients were followed up for 5-41 months, with a median time of 23 months. Two and 1 patients had tumor recurrence and hepatolithiasis recurrence in the intra-glissonian transection group, without recurrence of hepatic hemangioma or cholangiocarcinoma. Five patients had tumor recurrence in the intra-glissonian transection group, without recurrence of hepatic hemangioma, hepatolithiasis or cholangiocarcinoma. The disease recurrence rate was 13.6%(3/22) and 14.3%(5/35) in the extra-glissonian transection group and intra-glissonian transection group, respectively, showing no statistically significant difference between the two groups (χ2=0.104, P>0.05). Conclusions Extra-glissonian pedicle transection approach guided by arantius′ ligament in laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy is feasible and effective, which can control hepatic blood inflow of left liver, simplify the surgery procedure and shorten dissection time of left pedicle, in order to save operation time and reduce volume of intraoperative blood loss. Key words: Liver neoplasms; Liver cancer; Hepatic hemangioma; Hepatolithiasis; Extra-glissonian dissection; Hemihepatectomy; Arantius′ ligament; Hepatic pedicle; Laparoscopy