Laparoscopic liver resection of the spiegel lobe by a lef-sidad approach preserving an accessory left hepatic artery

Abstract

Presenter: Víctor Molina | Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau Background: Caudate lobe of the liver can be divided in three portions: Spiegel lobe, para-caval portion and caudate process . The anatomy of the caudate lobe and its proximity to major vascular structures makes this operation a difficult resection, especially for laparoscopic liver surgery. For that reason the Iwate criteria proposed to classify this surgery at the “2nd International Consensus Conference on Laparoscopic Liver Resection” as intermediate or advanced difficulty depending on the type of resection, and the size of the tumor . For tumors located in the Spiegel lobe, the left side approach is preferred Methods: We present a 69-year-old woman with liver metastasis from previously resected sternal condrosarcoma. A Spiegel lobe resection with left side approach preserving an accessory left hepatic artery was performed. Results: The patient was positioned in supine position. Six ports were used, 4 of 12mm and 2 of 5mm. We started the surgery with the left lateral segment mobilization. The gastrohepatic ligament was opened to expose the caudate lobe. In this case we only opened part of the ligament to preserve the accessory left hepatic artery. We continued retracting to the right the hepatic hilium with tissue band used as the external Pringle tourniquet to expose de caudate process and the right side of the Spiegel lobe. The transection of the liver was started with Thunderbeat and ultrasonic dissector. The portal branches to the Spiegel lobe were dissected and controlled with clips. We continued with the blunt dissection of the Spiegel lobe from the inferior vena cava. The fibrous ligament of the Spigel lobe to the crus of the diaphragm was cut and the retrocaudate vessels to the inferior vena cava were individualized and ligated with clips. Finally, we opened the gastrohepatic ligament behind the artery, pulled up the caudate lobe, and finished the liver transection. A closed aspirative drainage was left in place. The specimen was removed from an enlargement of the left subcostal 12mm port. The operative time was 180 min and the total Pringle time was 30 min. Patient was discharged at the 4 postoperative day and there were no postoperative complications. Conclusion: Laparoscopic liver resection of the caudate lobe for condrosarcoma liver metastasis is feasible and safe. Left approach seems the best option for Spiegel lobe resections even in patients with accessory left hepatic artery.