Hilar Dissection Research Articles

Necessity of splenectomy for antral-type scirrhous gastric cancer

BackgroundTotal gastrectomy with splenic hilar nodal dissection by splenectomy is frequently selected for resectable scirrhous gastric cancer (GC), irrespective of the whether it is of the antral or body type. However, whether splenectomy is necessary for antral-type scirrhous GC remains unclear. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the data of patients treated at National Cancer Center Hospital in Japan between 2000 and 2018. We selected patients with type IV GC in which the predominant location could be identified, who received D2 or more total gastrectomy with splenectomy, and in whom R0 or R1 resection was achieved. The therapeutic value index was evaluated by multiplying the metastatic rate of each nodal station by the five-year overall survival (OS) rate of patients with metastasis to each node. ResultsIn total, 180 patients were included in this study (antral type, n=19 [10.6%]; body type, n=161 [89.4%]). Both types showed similar and frequent invasion of the greater curvature of the upper stomach. Metastasis to the splenic hilar nodes (#10) was not observed in the antral type (0/19) but was observed in the body type (35/161, 21.7%); the difference was statistically significant (p=0.027). The therapeutic value index of #10 was 0 in the antral type but was >7, the fourth highest, in the body type. The only nodes with an index >0 in the antral type were #4d, #3, #4sb, #6, #7, and #1. ConclusionsSplenectomy may therefore be unnecessary for antral-type scirrhous GC.

Feasibility and value of modular splenic hilar lymphadenectomy technique in laparoscopic total gastrectomy: a retrospective-controlled research.

This study aims to investigate the feasibility and value of modular splenic hilar lymphadenectomy (MSHL) in LTG for advanced PGC located at the greater curvature. A retrospective-controlled research included 54 patients diagnosed with advanced PGC located at the greater curvature who underwent LTG combined with spleen-preserving hilar lymphadenectomy between January 2020 and December 2022 at the same treatment center. A total of 20 patients underwent classic splenic hilar lymphadenectomy (CSHL) using a medial approach (classic group), while 34 patients underwent MSHL (modular group). We summarized the technical points, caveats, and critical steps of the MSHL technique and observed and compared clinical indexes between the two groups. All operations were successful without conversion to laparotomy. The mean operation time, mean splenic hilar lymph node dissection (LND) time, median intraoperative blood loss, and blood loss from splenic hilar LND were all significantly lower in the modular group than in the classic group (p < 0.05). The amount of NO.10 lymph nodes (LNs) was significantly higher in the modular group than in the classic group (p < 0.05). In the classic group, one patient experienced intraoperative splenic vein injury, and one experienced spleen laceration, whereas no intraoperative complications occurred in the modular group. The median postoperative feeding time, exhaust time, defecation time, and postoperative stay were all significantly lower in the modular group compared to the classic group (p < 0.05). In the modular group, one patient experienced Clavien-Dindo I complication and one Clavien-Dindo II complication, while in the classic group, one patient experienced Clavien-Dindo II complication and one Clavien-Dindo IIIa complication. There were no patient was re-hospitalized within 30days after surgery. The modular splenic hilar LND technique can simplify complicated surgical procedures in SPSHL and reduce the risk of intraoperative bleeding and collateral damage.

Laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy using augmented reality navigation plus ICG fluorescence imaging for hepatolithiasis: a retrospective single-arm cohort study (with video).

Laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy (LLH) has been shown to be an effective and safe method for treating hepatolithiasis primarily affecting the left hemiliver. However, this procedure still presents challenges. Due to pathological changes in intrahepatic duct stones, safely dissecting the hilar vessels and determining precise resection boundaries remains difficult, even with fluorescent imaging. Our team proposed a new method of augmented reality navigation (ARN) combined with Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging for LLH in hepatolithiasis cases. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of this combined approach in the procedure. Between May 2021 and September 2023, 16 patients with hepatolithiasis who underwent LLH were included. All patients underwent preoperative 3D evaluation and were then guided using ARN and ICG fluorescence imaging during the procedure. Perioperative and short-term postoperative outcomes were assessed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the method. All 16 patients successfully underwent LLH. The mean operation time was 380.31 ± 92.17min, with a mean estimated blood loss of 116.25 ± 64.49ml. ARN successfully aided in guiding hilar vessel dissection in all patients. ICG fluorescence imaging successfully identified liver resection boundaries in 11 patients (68.8%). In the remaining 5 patients (31.3%) where fluorescence imaging failed, virtual liver segment projection (VLSP) successfully identified their resection boundaries. No major complications occurred in any patients. Immediate stone residual rate, stone recurrence rate, and stone extraction rate through the T-tube sinus tract were 12.5%, 6.3%, and 6.3%, respectively. The combination of ARN and ICG fluorescence imaging enhances the safety and precision of LLH for hepatolithiasis. Moreover, ARN may serve as a safe and effective tool for identifying precise resection boundaries in cases where ICG fluorescence imaging fails.

Robotic spleen‑preserving suprapancreatic and splenic hilar lymph node dissection using the preemptive retropancreatic approach in total gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Advanced gastric cancer that has not invaded the greater curvature is a good indication for total gastrectomy (TG) with spleen-preserving suprapancreatic and splenic hilar lymph node dissection (LND). However, the suprapancreatic and splenic hilar LND increases the area of dissection of the pancreas, and prolonged pressure drainage of the pancreas is required to maintain a clear operative view. This can lead to an increased risk of postoperative pancreatic complications. To report the efficacy of our novel preemptive retropancreatic approach (PRA) for the suprapancreatic and splenic hilar LND in robotic TG (RTG). We report our experience with nine patients with gastric cancer who underwent spleen-preserving splenic hilar LND using PRA during RTG at Hokkaido University from October 2018 to November 2021. The PRA involves initial dissection of the left side of the retropancreatic space, followed by the release of the adherence between the retroperitoneum surface and the pancreas (fusion fascia), which provides a good operative field and prevents contact with the pancreas during the suprapancreatic and splenic hilar LND in RTG. The median operating time was 488min (254-564min). The median intraoperative bleeding was 55mL (0-115mL). One patient had postoperative complications (above grade II of the Clavien-Dindo classification), but there were no postoperative pancreatic complications. The spleen-preserving suprapancreatic and splenic hilar LND using PRA could help to reduce the postoperative pancreatic complications associated with RTG.Trial registration number and date of registration The Hokkaido University Hospital institutional review board approved the data collection and analysis. The trial registration number and date of registration are No. 021-0022 and July 26, retrospectively registered.

Evaluating Acetate as a Renoprotective Agent After Kidney Ischemia in a Porcine Model.

Objective: Renoprotection from reperfusion injury appears to be conferred by HIF-2a activation, which can be stimulated by exogenous acetate administration. The study objective was to assess whether administration of acetate in a porcine model can mitigate kidney injury related to ischemia-reperfusion after renal hilar occlusion. Methods: A porcine single-kidney model was created by performing a laparoscopic nephrectomy followed by animal recovery. After 2 days, the animals underwent laparoscopic hilar dissection. Block randomization was used to assign pigs into one of four experimental groups. One treatment block of pigs received 150 mEq of sodium acetate intravenously during 90 minutes of en bloc occlusion of the renal hilum (herein noted as "cross-clamping"). Another block received 0.75 g/kg of oral sodium acetate for 3 days prior to cross-clamping. A third block received no acetate and underwent hilar dissection without cross-clamping (negative control). The final block received no acetate and underwent cross-clamping (positive control). Serum creatinine was used to estimate renal function post-nephrectomy. Results: A total of 16 animals (4 pigs in each group) completed the study protocol. Median pig weight was 34.6 kg. One pig receiving IV acetate was excluded from the final analysis because of unrecoverable renal failure after cross-clamping. There was a significantly lower mean serum creatinine for the IV acetate group compared with the positive control group 72 hours after cross-clamping (p = 0.012). The same effect was not observed for the pigs receiving oral acetate. By day 7, renal function had recovered without significant difference in all groups. Conclusions: We observed that the administration of intravenous acetate conferred a significant renoprotective benefit in our single kidney ischemia-reperfusion porcine model 72 hours after hilar occlusion. This work is hypothesis-generating, and further work in human subjects undergoing renal hilar occlusion during partial nephrectomy is warranted.

A clinicopathologic feature-based nomogram for preoperative estimation of splenic hilar lymph node metastasis in advanced proximal gastric cancer without invasion of the greater curvature

BackgroundThe indications for splenic hilar lymph node dissection in advanced proximal gastric cancer without invasion of the greater curvature are controversial. We aimed to develop a preoperative nomogram for individualized prediction of splenic hilar lymph node metastasis in non–greater curvature advanced proximal gastric cancer. MethodsFrom January 2014 to December 2021, 558 patients with non–greater curvature advanced proximal gastric cancer who underwent D2 lymphadenectomy (including splenic hilar lymph node) were retrospectively analyzed and divided into a training cohort (n = 361) and validation cohort (n = 197), depending on the admission time. A preoperative predictive nomogram of splenic hilar lymph node metastasis was established based on independent predictors identified by multivariate analysis, and the performance and prognostic value were confirmed. ResultsIn the training and validation cohorts, 48 (13.3%) and 24 patients (12.2%) had pathologically confirmed splenic hilar lymph node metastasis, respectively. Tumor located in the posterior wall, tumor size ≥5 cm, Borrmann type IV, and splenic hilar lymph node lymphadenectasis on computed tomography were preoperative factors independently associated with splenic hilar lymph node metastasis. The nomogram developed based on these four parameters had a high concordance index of 0.850 (95% confidence interval, 0.793–0.907) and 0.825 (95% confidence interval, 0.743–0.908) in the training and validation cohorts, respectively, with well-fitting calibration plots and better net benefits in the decision curve analysis. In addition, disease-free survival and overall survival were significantly shorter in the high-risk group, with hazard ratios of 3.660 (95% confidence interval, 2.228–6.011; log-rank P < .0001) and 3.769 (95% confidence interval, 2.279–6.231; log-rank P < .0001), respectively. ConclusionThe nomogram has good performance in predicting the risk of splenic hilar lymph node metastasis in non–greater curvature advanced proximal gastric cancer preoperatively, which can help surgeons make rational clinical decisions.

N1-positive non-small cell lung cancer: surgeons' perspective before undertaking a major resection.

Among various reasons for a rise in surgical referrals for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer, few are improved clinical-pathological staging, better understanding of oncological driver mutation, and aggressive neoadjuvant treatment options. These cases with positive ipsilateral bronchopulmonary lymph nodes are intriguing subset where multiple treatment options have been explored to improve disease-free survival. Targeted neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgical resection is becoming a new norm and surgeons are referred these complex cases. This narrative review is highlighting the importance of proper preoperative staging, contemporary practices in surgical decision-making, and procedural aspect of hilar node dissection.

Surgical techniques for robotic right donor hepatectomy, part 1: robotic hilar dissection and right lobe mobilization.

Robotic surgery is emerging as a feasible minimally invasive approach for donor hepatectomy at specialized centers. The aim of this article is to systematically describe the surgical techniques for robotic hilar dissection and right lobe mobilization in right donor hepatectomy. The setup of the robotic arms, the dissection of inflow vessels and retrohepatic inferior vena cava, and the pearls and pitfalls of these two parts of the operation are detailed.

Application of microwave surgical instrument to lung segmentectomy for small-sized lung cancer

ObjectivesFor lung segmentectomy of small lung cancers, we used a microwave surgical instrument for lung parenchymal dissection mainly at the pulmonary hilum, which is difficult to handle with surgical staplers. This technique facilitated the insertion of staples. MethodsIn total, 116 patients with cStage 0-1A3 non–small cell lung cancer who underwent lung segmentectomy were included in this study. We compared the perioperative factors of the group in which a microwave surgical instrument was used for dissection procedures, including lung parenchymal dissection at the pulmonary hilum, and peripheral intersegmental dissection was performed with surgical staplers (group M+S: N = 69), with those of the group in which parenchymal dissection was performed mainly with surgical staplers without using the microwave surgical instrument (group S: N = 47). ResultsAlthough more complex segmentectomies were performed in the M+S group (P = .001), the number of staple cartridges (7 staple cartridges vs 8 staple cartridges, P = .005), the surgical times (179 vs 221 minutes, P < .0001), and the blood loss (5 mL vs 30 mL, P = .012) were significantly lower in the M+S group. The duration of chest tube placement was significantly shorter in the M+S group (P = .019), and postoperative complications of grade 2 or greater were significantly lower in the M+S group (P = .049). ConclusionsThe effective use of the microwave surgical instrument combined with surgical staplers can simplify pulmonary hilar and intersegmental plane dissections not only for simple segmentectomy but also for complex segmentectomy, leading to favorable intraoperative and postoperative outcomes.

Clinical risk factors for splenic hilar nodal metastasis in remnant gastric cancer after distal gastrectomy.

270 Background: Splenectomy is usually considered to be required for complete dissection of splenic hilar lymph node (#10 LN) in gastric cancer (GC). Although spleen-preserving D2 was established for the advanced GC not invading the grater coverture based on the JCOG0110 clinical trial, D2 gastrectomy with splenectomy remains the standard procedure for the advanced GC involving grater coverture in Japan. However, the applicability of this treatment for remnant gastric cancer (RGC) is unclear because the lymphatic flow and lymphatic metastatic pattern may have been changed after initial gastrectomy. There are no guidelines for splenic hilar nodal dissection for RGC. In this study we evaluated risk factors for #10 nodal metastasis in RGC. Methods: This study retrospectively examined RGC patients who received gastrectomy with #10 nodal dissection after distal gastrectomy at two high-volume cancer centers in Japan between 1998 and 2015. Results: 99 patients were entered in this study. The #10 nodal metastatic rate was 12.1% (12/99). Initial gastrectomy was performed for benign in 42 patients and for malignant in 52 patients. The median duration from the initial gastrectomy was 20 (1-55) years. Main tumor location was lesser curvature in 46 patients, anterior wall in 11, greater curvature in 19, posterior wall in 11, and the whole in 12. Large type 3(≥8cm) and type 4 were found in 18 cases. The median tumor size was 50 (10-232) mm. The depth of invasion was cT1 in 31 patients, cT2 in 19, cT3 in 11, cT4a in 28, and cT4b in 10. Histology was differentiated type in 46 patients and undifferentiated type in 56. Completion gastrectomy was performed in 98 patients and partial gastrectomy in 1. 89 patients underwent splenectomy. The univariate analysis showed that tumor location (lesser curvature vs others, p=0.027) and depth of invasion (cT1-3 vs cT4, p=0.032) were significant risk factors for #10 nodal metastasis. By multivariate analysis, these two factors remained significant. Metastasis to #10 nodal metastasis was 0% (0/28) in patients without both risk factors, 11-12% in those with at least one risk factor, and 30% (6/20) in those with both risk factors. Conclusions: The tumors not confined to the lesser curvature and cT4 were significant risk factors for #10 nodal metastasis of RGC after distal gastrectomy. Splenectomy should be considered for complete splenic hilar nodal dissection when these risk factors are positive.

Total hepatectomy during living donor liver transplantation at 108 Military Central Hospital

Objective: To evaluate the results and summarizing the experiences of total hepatectomy in living donor liver transplantation. Subject and method: A cross-sectional, descriptive study, over 165 cases of living donor liver transplantation at 108 Military Central Hospital from January 2019 to April 2023. Result: The average age of patients was 51.57 ± 13.19 years old, HBV infection rate was 70.9%. Indications for liver transplantation include acute liver failure (2.4%), acute on chronic liver failure (34%), decompensated cirrhosis (24.8%), hepatocellular carcinoma (37%), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (1.2%), liver metastases from colon cancer (0.6%). High hilum dissection of the hepatic artery in continuity with the bile duct rate was 95.2%, individual dissection in 3% and total occlusion in 1.8% of cases. The left and middle hepatic veins trunk was divided before segment 1 dissection in 95.8% of patients. Average time of total hepatectomy was 148.12 ± 38.9 minutes, average blood loss during total hepatectomy was 867 ± 442ml. Conclusion: High hilum dissection of the hepatic artery in continuity with the bile duct combined with left and middle hepatic veins trunk divided before dissecting of the segment 1 is safe and feasible for total hepatectomy during living donor liver transplantation.

Performance evaluation of a North American center using the established global benchmark for laparoscopic liver resections: A retrospective study

BackgroundThe global benchmark cut-offs were set for laparoscopic liver resection procedures: left lateral sectionectomy, left hepatectomy, and right hepatectomy. We aimed to compare the performance of our North American center with the established global benchmarks. MethodsThis is a single-center study of adults who underwent laparoscopic liver resection between 2010 to 2022 at the Toronto General Hospital. Fourteen benchmarking outcomes were assessed: operation time, intraoperative blood transfusion, estimated blood loss, blood loss ≥500 mL, blood loss ≥1000mL, open-conversion, postoperative length of stay, return to operation, postoperative morbidity, postoperative major-morbidity, 30-day mortality, 90-day mortality, R1 resection, and failure to rescue. Low-risk benchmark cases were defined as follows: patients aged 18 to 70 years, American Society of Anesthesiologist score ≤ 2, tumor size <10 cm, and Child–Pugh score ≤A. Cases involving bilio-enteric anastomosis, hilar dissection, or concomitant major procedures were excluded from the low-risk category. Cases that did not meet the criteria for low-risk selection were considered high-risk cases. ResultsA total of 178 laparoscopic liver resection cases were analyzed (109 left lateral sectionectomies, 45 left hepatectomies, 24 right hepatectomies). Forty-four (25%) cases qualified as low-risk cases (23 left lateral sectionectomies, 16 left hepatectomies, 5 right hepatectomies). The postoperative major morbidity and 90-day mortality after left lateral sectionectomy, left hepatectomy, and right hepatectomy for the low-risk cases were 0%, 0%, and 0%, and 0%, 0%, and 0%, respectively. For the high-risk cases post-2017, the outcomes in the same order were 0%, 0%, and 12%; 0%, 0%, and 0%, respectively. For the high-risk cases operated pre2017, the outcomes in the same order were 9%∗, 16%∗, and 18%; 2%∗, 0%, and 9%∗ (asterisks indicate not meeting the global cut-off), respectively. ConclusionA North American center was able to achieve outcomes comparable to the established global benchmark for laparoscopic liver resection.

Splenic hilar lymph node dissection enhances survival in Bormann type 4 gastric cancer

Splenic hilar (no.10) lymph node dissection during total gastrectomy is no longer recommended for advanced proximal gastric cancer. However, the treatment efficacy of no.10 lymph node dissection in Borrmann type 4 tumors remains unclear. We enrolled 539 patients who underwent total gastrectomy for Borrmann type 4 tumors between 2006 and 2016 in four major institutions in Korea. We compared the long-term survival of the no.10 lymph node dissection (n = 309) and no-dissection groups (n = 230) using the propensity score (inverse probability of treatment weighting). The treatment effects of no.10 lymph node dissection were estimated in the weighted sample using the Cox proportional hazards regression model with a robust sandwich-type variance estimator. After inverse probability of treatment weighting, there were 540.4 patients in the no.10 lymph node dissection group and 532.7 in the no-dissection group. The two groups showed well-balanced baseline characteristics, including tumor node metastasis stage. The 5-year survival rates in the no.10 lymph node dissection and no-dissection groups were 45.7% and 38.6%, respectively (log-rank p = 0.036, hazard ratio 0.786, 95% confidence interval 0.630–0.982). Multivariate analysis revealed that no.10 lymph node dissection was an independent favorable prognostic factor (adjusted hazard ratio 0.747, 95% confidence interval 0.593–0.940) after adjusting for other prognostic factors. Sensitivity analyses in other inverse probability of treatment weighting models and the propensity score matching model showed similar results. Patients undergoing no.10 lymph node dissection showed improved survival compared to those without. No.10 lymph node dissection is recommended during total gastrectomy for patients with Borrmann type 4 gastric cancer.

Laparoscopic right hemi-hepatectomy plus total caudate lobectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma via anterior approach with augmented reality navigation: a feasibility study.

Right hemi-hepatectomy plus total caudate lobectomy is the appropriate procedure for type IIIa or partial type II pCCA. However, the laparoscopic implementation of this procedure remains technically challenging, especially hilar vascular dissection and en bloc resection of the total caudate lobe. Augmented reality navigation can provide intraoperative navigation to enhance visualization of invisible hilar blood vessels and guide the parenchymal transection plane. Eleven patients who underwent laparoscopic right hemi-hepatectomy plus total caudate lobectomy from January 2021 to January 2023 were enrolled in this study. Augmented reality navigation technology and the anterior approach were utilized in this operation. Routine operative and short-term postoperative outcomes were assessed to evaluate the feasibility of the novel navigation method in this operation. Right hemi-hepatectomy plus total caudate lobectomy was successfully performed in all 11 enrolled patients. Among the 11 patients, the mean operation time was 454.5 ± 25.0min and the mean estimated blood loss was 209.1 ± 56.1ml. Negative surgical margins were achieved in all patients. The postoperative course of all the patients was uneventful, and the mean length of postoperative hospital stay was 10.5 ± 1.2days. Laparoscopic right hemi-hepatectomy plus total caudate lobectomy via the anterior approach may be feasible and safe for pCCA with the assistance of augmented reality navigation.

A Modified Surgical Technique in Biliary Reconstruction in Living Donor Liver Transplantation and Its Impact on Postoperative Incidence of Biliary Leakage and Stricture

Abstract Background Biliary complications continue to be a challenging territory in living donor liver transplantation that could lead eventually to graft loss and increased mortality. Despite the continuous evolution of biliary reconstruction techniques, there is no single full proof method that could possibly ensure the best biliary reconstruction. Aim of work In this study we compare the results of our combined modified technique of biliary reconstruction to the results of the conventional techniques in terms of improving biliary complications particularly biliary leaks and strictures. Methods This study was conducted on two equal groups of patients (recipients), 52 each, one of them received the conventional technique and the other received the modified technique. Results Our results have shown that the modified technique dropped the biliary complications from 36.5 to 9.6%, bile leaks dropped from 9.6% to 3.8%, and strictures dropped from 30.8% to 7.7%. Conclusion HPGS approach in the donor surgery together with en bloc hilar dissection and the eversion technique in the recipient surgery improve postoperative biliary complications.

Pre-gerotal fat patch-A novel alternative to haemostatic agents during partial nephrectomy.

This study aimed to determine if using a pre-gerotal fat patch at open partial nephrectomy (PN) as a haemostatic bolster is a viable alternative to using synthetic haemostatic agents. Human Research Ethics Committee approval was obtained for audit of a prospectively kept database from July 2012 to July 2021, which followed outcomes of patients who received a low-tension pre-gerotal fat patch renorrhaphy at open PN. Patient demographics, intraoperative measures, histological outcomes and post-operative complications were analysed. Using a retroperitoneal approach, the peritoneum was mobilised and a vascularised pedicle of pre-gerotal fat was rotated in the direction of the kidney. Routine definition of the hilum, clamping of the hilar vessels and dissection of mass followed. After watertight closure and haemostasis, the harvested pre-gerotal fat patch was placed over the defect and secured using low-tension renorrhaphy. Two-layer closure of the abdominal wall with placement of a drain was routine. A total of 55 patients underwent open PN. Mean age was 60.4 (35-77) years. There were 38 men and 17 women, and 32 right and 23 left PNs. Mean mass size was 31.9 mm (10-95 mm) and collecting system was breached in 36.5% of cases. One patient (1.9%) suffered a Clavien-Dindo IIIb complication requiring return to theatre and transfusion due to a bleed from an intercostal artery. There were no renal bed bleeds, urine leaks or urine fistulas detected. Mean intraoperative blood loss was 355 mL (50-1500 mL) and mean post-operative creatinine increased by 10.7 μmol/L (51-172 μmol/L). Mean follow up was 40.2 (4-109) months. Utilisation of an anatomical pre-gerotal fat patch to provide pressure at the renorrhaphy site during open PN is an effective technique to assist with surgical haemostasis. This simple technique avoids the costs of haemostatic agents, whilst adding minimal operating time to procedures.

Laparoscopic Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy (L-ALPPS) After Conversion Therapy for BCLC-B Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Video Article.

Despite the ALPPS technique remains a controversy, various ALPPS techniques have made many attempts.1-6 This video discusses the technical tips for L-ALPPS after conversion therapy. A 56-year-old, HCC patient who performed the abdominal CT showed a 6.0*5.7-cm-sized mass with intrahepatic metastasis. After four cycles of conversion therapy, the patient achieved a radiologic complete response. However, the standardized, remnant liver volume ratio (SRLVR) was only 34%. Thus, L-ALPPS was contemplated. After full mobilization, intraoperative ultrasonography marked the main trunk of MHV. The concept of "Laennec membrane anatomy" was introduced.7 The anterior pedicle (AP) and the posterior pedicle (PP) were elastically suspended along the Laennec membrane. The conventional hilar dissection approach was used to isolate and suspend RHA and the right portal vein (RPV). Then, IRHV and short hepatic vein were clipped and cut. The Pringle maneuver was used intermittently during the parenchymal transection. Hepatic resection was performed from the caudal to the cranial side along MHV after RPV was ligated. The RHV was elastically suspended after hepatic resection. The omentum was used to cover the resection surface. Stage 2, preoperative SRLVR increased to 68.3%. The adhesion of the right hemiliver was bluntly separated. AP, PP, and RHV were divided by the stapler respectively. Operation time and bleeding volume for stage-1 surgery and stage-2 surgery were 240 min and 80 min, 200 ml and 250 ml, respectively. The postoperative recovery was uneventful. L-ALPPS as a surgical option seems to be feasible and safe for intermediate-advanced HCC after conversion therapy.

Factors influencing the decision-making in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for small renal masses.

We analyzed the factors affecting the decision on surgical approach such as hilum dissection, vessel clamping, and the warm ischemia time (WIT) in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) for small renal masses (SRMs). Patients who underwent LPN for SRMs between 2011 and 2021 in two centers were retrospectively screened. Standardized R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score (RNS) and each of the components were scored on a Likert scale and the effect on the surgical approach was examined by using them separately. A total of 133 patients, 85 of whom were on-clamp and 48 were off-clamp, were included in the study. Greater tumor size, low BMI, higher RNS, upper pole tumor, low exophytic rate, and nearness to the collecting system were statistically significant for both on/off-clamp and hilar dissection decisions. In multivariate analysis, greater tumor size, upper pole tumor, lower rate of exophytic part (E2), nearness to the collecting system (N3) were independent risk factors for vessel clamping. Greater tumor size and lower exophytic tumor rate (E2) were independent risk factors for hilum dissection. We could not identify any factor affecting WIT. Individual components of RNS may serve as a better tool for decision-making on vessel clamping and hilum dissection during LPN for SRMs.

A novel approach to quantifying surgical workflow in robotic-assisted lobectomy.

Understanding surgical workflow is critical for optimizing efficiencies and outcomes; however, most research evaluating workflow is impacted by observer subjectivity, limiting its reproducibility, scalability, and actionability. To address this, we developed a novel approach to quantitatively describe workflow within robotic-assisted lobectomy (RL). We demonstrate the utility of this approach by analysing features of surgical workflow that correlate with procedure duration. RL was deconstructed into 12 tasks by expert thoracic surgeons. Task start and stop times were annotated across videos of 10 upper RLs (5 right and 5 left). Markov Networks were used to estimate both the likelihood of transitioning from one task to another and each task-transition entropy (i.e. complexity). Associations between the frequency with which each task was revisited intraoperatively and procedure duration were assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Entropy calculations identified fissure dissection and hilar node dissection as tasks with especially complex transitions, while mediastinal lymph node dissection and division of pulmonary veins were less complex. The number of transitions to three tasks significantly correlated with case duration (fissure dissection (R=0.69, p=0.01), dissect arteries (R=0.59, p=0.03), and divide arteries (R=0.63, p=0.03)). This pilot demonstrates the feasibility of objectively quantifying workflow between RL tasks and introduces entropy as a new metric of task-transition complexity. These innovative measures of surgical workflow enable detailed characterization of a given surgery and might indicate behaviour that impacts case progression. We discuss how these measures can serve as a foundation and be combined with relevant clinical information to better understand factors influencing surgical inefficiency.

A case of primary pulmonary follicular dendritic cell sarcoma

Here, we report a 66-year-old woman who presented with an irregular and lobulated pulmonary mass in the apical segment of the right superior lobe with an enlarged mediastinal lymph node. Abdominal computed tomography (CT), brain magnetic resonance imaging, and fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT scans showed no extrapulmonary distant metastases. The patient underwent surgical sleeve resection of the right superior lobe with systematic hilar and mediastinal lymph node dissection. Post-operative histopathology, including hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, and Epstein&amp;ndash;Barr virus in situ hybridization, suggested primary pulmonary follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS). A follow-up plain chest CT indicated recurrence with multiple metastases of the liver, ribs, and mediastinal lymph nodes 1 year after surgery. The patient declined further therapy and was lost follow-up. In this case, FDCS located in the lung was unusual and rare. Corresponding imaging and histopathological features have enhanced our understanding of this disease. Meanwhile, it is necessary to include this tumor as a differential diagnosis of lung tumors and pay particular attention to the possibility of post-operative recurrence and metastasis. Moreover, considering the heterogeneity of FDCS, it is essential to identify the biological or imaging features that can reflect or predict the high risk of tumor recurrence and metastasis. A corresponding post-operative examination is also necessary to determine if any lesions remain.