Clinical application of combined laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of primary hepatocellular carcinoma with portal hypertension: a report of 16 cases.

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Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor in China and is often accompanied by portal hypertension (PHT). Whether simultaneous operation can be used in patients with liver cirrhosis and PHT accompanied by HCC is controversial. The aim of the present study was to investigate the safety and feasibility of simultaneous laparoscopic hepatectomy, splenectomy and pericardial devascularization in the treatment of HCC with PHT. A total of 16 patients were treated with laparoscopic surgery for PHT and HCC from April 2011. The operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, red blood cell transfusion, plasma transfusion, time for diet intake, drainage time, duration of hospital stay and occurrence of complications were observed. The follow-up time was 3 years, and long-term outcomes included overall survival rates and recurrence-free survival rates. The operation time and volume of blood loss were 336±18 min and 337±351 mL, respectively. Of the patients, 2 received intraoperative homologous blood transfusion and 9 received plasma transfusion. The time for diet intake, drainage time and duration of hospital stay were 3.5±0.5, 7.3±1.0 and 13.6±3.6 days, respectively. The postoperative complications included 1 patient with anastomosis-site bleeding, 2 patients with abdominal effusion and 3 patients with portal vein thrombosis, which were treated conservatively. The overall survival rates at 1 and 3 years were 100% (16/16) and 87.5% (14/16), respectively. The recurrence-free survival rates at 1 and 3 years were 87.5% (14/16) and 62.5% (10/16), respectively. In conclusion, simultaneous laparoscopic hepatectomy, splenectomy and pericardial devascularization is an effective treatment for PHT and primary HCC, and provides a potential new therapy for patients.