Laparoscopic Hepatectomy Research Articles

The Barthel Index predicts surgical textbook outcomes following hepatectomy for elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A multicenter cohort study

BackgroundThe burgeoning demand for hepatectomy in elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) necessitates improved perioperative care. Geriatric populations frequently experience functional decline and frailty, predisposing them to adverse postoperative outcomes. The Barthel Index serves as a reliable measure for assessing functional capacity, and this study evaluates its impact on surgical textbook outcomes (TOs) in elderly HCC patients. MethodsA multicenter retrospective cohort study analyzed elderly patients (≥70 years) following hepatectomy for HCC between 2013 and 2021. Utilizing a Barthel Index cut-off value of 85, patients were divided into two groups: with and without preoperative functional decline and frailty. The primary outcome was the rate of TO, encompassing seven criteria. TO rates were compared between groups, and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified independent risks for achieving TOs. ResultsOf 497 elderly patients, 157 (31.6 ​%) exhibited preoperative functional decline and frailty (Barthel Index score <85). The overall TO rate was 58.6 ​%. Patients with preoperative Barthel Index score <85 had significantly lower TO rates compared to patients with score ≥85 (29.3 ​% vs. 72.1 ​%, P ​< ​0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed preoperative Barthel Index score <85 as an independent risk for achieving TO (odds ratio 3.413, 95 ​% confidence interval 1.879–6.198, P ​< ​0.001). Comparable results were observed in the subgroups of patients undergoing open and laparoscopic hepatectomy. ConclusionPreoperative Barthel Index-based assessment of functional decline and frailty significantly predicts TOs following hepatectomy in elderly HCC patients, enabling identification of high-risk patients and informing preoperative management and postoperative care within geriatric oncology.

Conversion surgery for gastric remnant cancer with liver metastasis after nivolumab combination chemotherapy achieving pathological complete response: a case report and literature review.

Nivolumab combination chemotherapy has recently emerged as a potential first-line treatment for patients with unresectable or metastatic gastric cancer (GC). Further research has indicated that R0 resection by conversion surgery could be an effective treatment strategy to improve overall survival. However, there have been limited reports on the successful application of conversion surgery following combination chemotherapy achieving pathological complete response (pCR) in cases of advanced gastric remnant cancer with liver metastasis. Here, we present a case of long-term survival in a patient who underwent this treatment. A 54-year-old man was initially referred to our department for treatment of stage III (cT3N1M0) gastric cancer where he underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy and D2 lymph node dissection. After a year of uneventful follow-up, the patient was diagnosed with a tumor in the gastric remnant combined with liver metastasis, resulting in a diagnosis of stage IV (cT3N0M1) gastric remnant cancer. Subsequently, the patient was treated with four cycles of TS-1, Oxaliplatin, and Nivolumab as the first-line regimen. Remarkably, both the remnant tumor and liver metastasis exhibited significant shrinkage, and no new lesions were found. Given this response, conversion surgery was performed to achieve complete resection of the remnant gastric cancer and liver metastasis, followed by laparoscopic remnant gastrectomy and partial hepatectomy. Pathological examination revealed the absence of residual carcinoma cells and lymph node metastases. Postoperatively, the patient was treated with adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 for 1 year, and survived without recurrence for 18months after conversion surgery. Nivolumab combination chemotherapy shows promise as a clinically beneficial treatment approach for gastric remnant cancer with liver metastasis, particularly when pCR can be achieved following conversion surgery.

The application of a single-hand-operated hepatic pedicle clamping clamp in laparoscopic hepatectomy.

In this paper, a single-hand-operated hepatic pedicle clamp was introduced, and its application value in laparoscopic liver tumor resection was preliminarily discussed. The clinical data of 67 patients who underwent laparoscopic liver tumor resection at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College from March 2019 to October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The Pringle maneuver was performed with a hepatic pedicle clamp during the operation. The preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative clinical data were observed and recorded. Sixty-seven patients had a median block number, block time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative length of hospital stay of 4, 55 min, 400 ml, and 7 days, respectively. The average operation time was 304.9±118.4 min, the time required for each block was 3.2±2.4 s, and the time required for each removed block was 2.6±0.7 s.None of the patients developed portal vein thrombosis or hepatic artery aneurysm formation. The hepatic pedicle clamping clamp is simple to use in laparoscopic hepatectomy, optimizes the operation process, and has a reliable blocking effect. It is recommended for clinical application.

Giant liver cyst associated with cholelithiasis: literature review and state of art

Liver lesions subject to laparoscopic resection are one of the frontiers conquered in surgery today. Even when dealing with surgery, which is often complex, the increase in demand from patients has increased, bringing more and more learning and dexterity to surgery teams with the increasing development of technology. To analytically evaluate the method, based on the most recent publications in the literature, with possible indications and reporting a recently successfully operated case, highlighting the safety, results and fundamental technical aspects. The relevant works from the last 15 years were identified and analyzed in the LILACS and PUBMED databases until August 2023, using the descriptors “ liver resection ”, “ laparoscopic surgery ” and “ liver surgery ”. We don't We found prospective and double-blind studies in the databases, with available data coming from case series, case-control studies and some multicenter studies and meta-analyses. Laparoscopic hepatectomy is a safe surgery and is very standardized in execution, even for major liver resections, with a low morbidity and mortality rate. As an oncological surgical method, it is gaining more and more space without compromising oncological radicality and with advantages for patients. with specific liver diseases. Benign lesions are the best indicated and performed, especially adenoma and cystic lesions, which in the hands of experienced teams have very good results and videolaparoscopic surgery can be considered today as standard treatment.

Safety of advanced laparoscopic hepatectomy for elderly patients: a Japanese nationwide analysis.

Although basic laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) has become the standard procedure for hepatectomy, the safety of advanced LH remains to be clarified, especially in elderly patients. We investigated the safety of advanced LH in elderly Japanese patients. Elderly patients (≥ 65years) who underwent advanced LH between 2016 and 2021 were analyzed using a nationwide claims database in Japan. The perioperative outcomes of patients who underwent open hepatectomy (OH group) or LH (LH group) were compared using propensity score matching (PSM). The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. The E-value method was performed to assess the strength of the outcome point estimates against possible unmeasured confounding factors. Among 5,021 patients, eligible patients were classified into the OH (n = 4,152) and LH (n = 527) groups. The median patient age was 74years in both groups. Hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic liver tumors were the major indications for hepatectomy (OH: 52.5% versus 30.6%; LH: 60.7% versus 26.4%). After PSM, in-hospital mortality rates for OH and LH were 1.7 and 0.76%, respectively. The risk ratio was 0.45 (95% confidence interval, 0.16-1.25; E-value = 3.87). Compared with OH, LH was associated with a longer anesthesia time (411 versus 432min), lower rate of blood product use (red blood concentrate: 33.5% versus 20.3%; fresh frozen plasma: 29.2% versus 17.1%), and shorter hospital stay (13 versus 12days). In elderly patients, the safety of advanced LH was similar to that of advanced OH, or might be better in Japan under the current policy of hospital accreditation.

Laparoscopic hepatectomy versus microwave ablation For multifocal 3-5cm hepatocellular carcinoma: a Multi-center, Real-world Study

Background: Researches comparing laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) with microwave ablation (MWA) for 3–5 cm multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma (MFHCC) are rare. Materials and Methods: From 2008 to 2019, 666 intrahepatic tumors in 289 patients from 12 tertiary medical centres in China were included in this retrospective study. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance variables between the two treatment groups over time frames 2008-2019 and 2013-2019 to observe the potential impact of advancements in intervention techniques on overall survival (OS), disease-free progression (DFS) of patients. complications, hospitalization, and cost were compared. Results: Among 289 patients, the median age was 59 years (IQR 52-66). 2008-2019, after PSM, the median OS was 97.4 months in the LLR group and 75.2 months (95% CI 47.8-102.6) in the MWA group during a follow-up period of 39.0 months. The 1-, 3- and 5-year OS rates in the two groups were 91.8%, 72.6%, 60.7% and 96.5%, 72.8%, 62.5% (HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.62-1.69, P =0.920); The corresponding DFS rates were 75.9%, 57.2%, 46.9%, and 53.1%, 17.5%, 6.2% (HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.23-0.54, P ＜0.001). 2013-2019, the median OS time was not reached in either group during the 34.0 months of follow-up, the 1-, 3- and 5-year OS rates in the two groups were 90.2%, 67.6%, 56.7% and 96.5%, 76.7%, 69.7% (HR 1.54, 95% CI 0.79-3.01, P =0.210); The corresponding DFS rates were 69.6%, 53.9%, 43.3%, and 70.4%, 32.1%, 16.5% (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.41-1.11, P =0.120). The incidence of major complications was similar in both groups (all P&gt; 0.05). MWA had shorter intervention times, hospitalization, and lower costs. Conclusions: For resectable MFHCC patients, LLR is preferable due to its lower recurrence rate; For patients who do not qualify for LLR, advances in ablation technology have promoted MWA as a promising alternative.

Donor body mass index over 30 is no barrier for pure laparoscopic donor right hepatectomy.

Challenges arise when translating pure laparoscopic donor right hepatectomy (PLDRH) results from Asian to Western donors, due to differences in body mass index (BMI). This study compares the outcomes of PLDRH and conventional open donor right hepatectomy (CDRH) in donors with BMI over 30. Medical records of live liver donors (BMI > 30) undergoing right hepatectomy (2010-2021) were compared: 25 PLDRH cases vs. 19 CDRH cases. Donor and recipient demographics, operative details, and outcomes were analyzed. PLDRH and CDRH had similar donor and recipient characteristics. PLDRH had longer liver removal and warm ischemic times, but a shorter post-liver removal duration than CDRH. Donor complication rates were comparable, with the highest complication being grade IIIa in PLDRH, necessitating needle aspiration for biloma on postoperative day 11. Fortunately, this donor fully recovered without additional treatment. No complications exceeding Clavien-Dindo grade IIIa occurred in either group. Recipient outcomes between the groups were similar. This study supports PLDRH as a viable option for donors with BMI over 30, challenging the notion that high BMI should deter considering PLDRH. The findings provide valuable insights into the safety and feasibility of PLDRH, encouraging further exploration of this technique in diverse donor populations.

Clinical and economic comparison of laparoscopic versus open hepatectomy for primary hepatolithiasis: a propensity score-matched cohort study.

It is unclear whether laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) for hepatolithiasis confers better clinical benefit and lower hospital costs than open hepatectomy (OH). This study aim to evaluate the clinical and economic value of LH versus OH. Patients undergoing OH or LH for primary hepatolithiasis at Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College between 2015 and 2022 were divided into OH group and LH group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the baseline data. Deviation-based cost modelling and weighted average median cost (WAMC) were used to assess and compare the economic value. A total of 853 patients were identified. After exclusions, 403 patients with primary hepatolithiasis underwent anatomical hepatectomy (OH n=143; LH n=260). PSM resulted in 2 groups of 100 patients each. Although LH required a longer median operation duration compared with OH (285.0 versus 240.0min, respectively, P<0.001), LH patients had fewer wound infections, fewer pre-discharge overall complications (26 versus 43%, respectively, P=0.009), and shorter median postoperative hospital stays (8.0 versus 12.0days, respectively, P<0.001). No differences were found in blood loss, major complications, stone clearance, and mortality between the two matched groups. However, the median overall hospital cost of LH was significantly higher than that of OH (CNY¥52,196.1 versus 45,349.5, respectively, P=0.007). Although LH patients had shorter median postoperative hospital stays and fewer complications than OH patients, the WAMC was still higher for the LH group than for the OH group with an increase of CNY¥9,755.2 per patient undergoing LH. The overall clinical benefit of LH for hepatolithiasis is comparable or even superior to that of OH, but with an economic disadvantage. There is a need to effectively reduce the hospital costs of LH and the gap between costs and diagnosis-related group reimbursement to promote its adoption.

Insights from Seoul National University Hospital's experience: a systematic review of pure laparoscopic donor hepatectomy progression.

Following its initial execution in November 2015, pure laparoscopic donor hepatectomy (PLDH) has gained acceptance as a conventional practice at Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH). It is noteworthy that a significant proportion of cases entail full right hepatectomies, which are acknowledged to be technically demanding. As expertise and knowledge have been accrued, the pure laparoscopic technique has been extended to encompass liver recipients as a viable option in SNUH. The aim of this review is to present the developmental progression of PLDH, with a focus on pure laparoscopic donor right hepatectomy (PLDRH), at SNUH. This includes the standardization process, which can be achieved by sharing the hospital's accumulated experience and previous reports. Various types of graft, including full right, left, left lateral section, and monosegment, were procured by pure laparoscopic technique. The criteria for selection were expanded to include donors with variations in the anatomy of the portal vein and bile duct. Additionally, the procedure of PLDRH was determined to be safe and viable for donors with high body mass index and larger graft weight. In conclusion, this review demonstrates the alterations implemented throughout our evolution from restricted to inclusive criteria for donor selection, leading to a complete shift from open surgery to pure laparoscopic procedures in donor hepatectomy and eventually pure laparoscopic living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in recipient.

Laparoscopic hepatectomy for hepatocellular adenoma using the hepatic vein as anatomic markers,How I do it.(with video)

TechniqueHepatocellular adenoma (HCA) is a benign monoclonal tumour that originates from mature hepatocytes.Liver resection is recommended in case of overt malignant transformation to hepatocellular carcinoma.However, hepatobiliary surgeries are technically challenging in patients with giant HCA (GHCA) owing to the risk of catastrophic intraoperative bleeding and difficulty with its control during laparoscopic treatment. We present a technical note on the utilization of the hepatic vein as anatomical landmarks for laparoscopic removal of giant hepatic glands, without intraoperative ultrasonography and with the aid of an augmented reality navigation system during surgery. ResultsThis video shows aA 37-year-old man was recommended treatment for a progressively increasing HCA (from 3 to 10 cm in a year) involving the right hepatic vein (RHV), inferior vena cava (IVC) and middle hepatic vein (MHV), resulting in the invisibility of the above intrahepatic anatomic markers in CT. Laparoscopic hepatectomy was performed using the hepatic vein as anatomic markers in a treatment centre specialising in minimally invasive surgeries. The procedure involved fully mobilising the right liver, transecting the parenchyma along the demarcation line in the caudal-to-cranial direction, exposing the involved caudal MHV, isolating and transecting the involved RHV and preserving the integrity of the involved IVC. ConclusionsLaparoscopic hepatectomy for intractable GHCA using the involved intrahepatic anatomic markers is feasible and effective. It reduces pre-operative haemorrhage and open conversion rates while maximising postoperative hepatic function.

Application of Laennec extrathecal blockade combined with indocyanine green fluorescence imaging in laparoscopic anatomic hepatectomy.

To investigate the safety and application value of combining Laennec extracapsular occlusion with ICG fluorescence imaging in laparoscopic anatomic hepatectomy. Complete laparoscopic dissection was performed outside the Laennec sheath, blocking Glisson's pedicle of the corresponding liver segment or lobe. An appropriate amount of indocyanine green (ICG) dye was intravenously injected, and the boundary line between the pre-cut liver segment and liver lobe was identified using fluorescence laparoscopy. Complete resection of the liver segment or lobe was performed based on anatomical markers. Clinical data, including operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative complications, were collected. A total of 14 cases were included in the study, including seven cases of primary liver cancer, three cases of metastatic liver cancer, three cases of intrahepatic bile duct calculi, and one case of hepatic hemangioma. All 14 patients underwent anatomic hepatectomy under fluorescent laparoscopy, with four cases involving the right liver, seven cases involving the left liver, two cases involving the right anterior lobe, and one case involving the right posterior lobe. Combining laparoscopic follow-up of the Laennec membrane with Glisson outer sheath block and intraoperative ICG fluorescence imaging provides real-time guidance for locating the resection boundaries during anatomic hepatectomy. This approach helps in controlling intraoperative bleeding, reducing operation time, and ensuring high safety. It holds significant value in clinical application.

Comparison of IWATE, Institut Mutualiste Montsouris, and Southampton Laparoscopic Liver Resection Difficulty Scoring Systems for Predicting Intra and Postoperative Outcomes in Robotic Hepatectomy.

IWATE, Institut Mutualiste Montsouris (IMM), and Southampton are established difficulty scoring systems (DSS) for laparoscopic hepatectomy, yet none specifically address robotic hepatectomy. Our study evaluates these 3 DSS for predicting perioperative outcomes in robotic hepatectomy. With IRB approval, we prospectively followed 359 consecutive patients undergoing robotic hepatectomies, assessing categorical metrics like conversions to open, intra/postoperative issues, Clavien-Dindo Score (≥III), 30 and 90-day mortality, and 30-day readmissions using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and Area Under the Curve (AUC) to determine efficacy in predicting their occurrence for each DSS. Continuous metrics such as operative duration, estimated blood loss (EBL), length of stay, and total cost were analyzed using Spearman's correlation and regression. Predictive strength was significant with an AUC or correlation ≥.700 and P-value ≤.05. IMM had highest predictive accuracy for conversions to open (AUC = .705) and postoperative complications (AUC = .481). Southampton was most accurate in predicting Clavien Dindo ≥ III complications (AUC = .506). IWATE excelled in predicting 30-day mortality (AUC = .552), intraoperative issues (AUC = .798), In-hospital mortality (AUC = .450), 90-day mortality (AUC = .596), and readmissions (AUC = .572). Regression showed significant relationships between operative duration, EBL, and hospital cost with increasing scores for all DSS (P ≤ .05). Statistical analysis of the 3 DSS indicates that each has specific strengths that can best predict intra- and/or postoperative outcomes. However, all showed inaccuracies and conflicting relationships with the variables, indicating lack of substantial hierarchy between DSS. Given these inconsistencies, a dedicated comprehensive DSS should be created for robotic hepatectomy.

Laparoscopic liver resection is superior to radiofrequency ablation for small hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of propensity score-matched studies.

The approach in small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is controversial, no prospective randomized trials to compare ablative or surgical approaches. We compared the surgical and oncological outcomes after laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in small HCC patients based on matched cohort studies that performed propensity score matching (PSM). We systemically searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and the Chinese BioMedical Literature (CBM) databases. All published propensity score-matched studies that compared LH and RFA for small HCC were included in this study. Eight studies with a total of 1273 small HCC cases were included. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that there was no significant difference in the 1- year overall survival (OS) rate between the two groups, whereas the LH group had significantly higher 3- year overall survival rate (RR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.08-1.20, p < 0.00001) as well as 1- and 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates (RR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.22-1.42, p < 0.00001; RR = 1.66, 95% CI 1.46-1.90, p < 0.00001) than the RFA group. Meanwhile, the local recurrence rate and intrahepatic distant recurrence rate were significantly lower in the LH group than in the RFA group (RR = 0.29, 95% CI 0.20-0.42, p < 0.00001; RR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.49-0.92, p = 0.01). In comparison with the LH group, the RFA group had a lower incidence of overall and major postoperative complications (RR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.47-2.24, p < 0.00001; RR = 2.76, 95% CI 1.48-5.12, p = 0.001), but there was no significant difference in postoperative mortality between the two groups. In addition, further comparison of single postoperative complications showed that the incidence of ascites was lower in the RFA group than in the LH group (RR = 3.62, 95% CI 1.64-7.96, p = 0.001), whereas there was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative bleeding, abdominal infection and bile leakage between the two groups (RR = 3.50, 95% CI 0.74-16.61, p = 0.11; RR = 5.00, 95% CI 0.59-42.23, p = 0.14; RR = 4.00, 95% CI 0.45-35.23, p = 0.21). Besides, the hospital stay was shorter in the RFA group than in the LH group (MD = 4.29, 95% CI 2.06-6.53, p = 0.0002). Our meta-analysis demonstrated that in comparison with RFA in the treatment of small HCC, LH provided superior long-term OS and DFS together with lower rates of local and intrahepatic distant recurrence after surgery. However, RFA was associated with better short-term outcomes.

Criteria for selecting living liver donors to optimize recipient outcomes in pure laparoscopic donor right hepatectomy: a cohort study.

Although the adoption of pure laparoscopic donor hepatectomy has expanded driven by considerations of donor cosmesis and function, the criteria for selecting candidates for pure laparoscopic donor right hepatectomy (PLDRH) continue to be debated. This study aimed to delineate the distinctive characteristics of donors and recipients who underwent conventional open-donor right hepatectomy (CDRH) during the era of PLDRH. We conducted a retrospective review of a prospectively collected single-center database encompassing all right hepatectomies at OOOO from April 2016 to December 2021, a period during which there were no absolute contraindications for PLDRH. During the exclusive PLDRH period, there were still 63 cases of CDRH alongside 362 cases of PLDRH. The CDRH donors were older, had a lower estimated remnant liver volume, and a higher incidence of expected multiple openings in the portal vein and bile duct based on preoperative imaging compared with PLDRH donors. In the subgroup analysis, including only donors meeting two or more criteria (age ≥40y, estimated remnant liver volume ≥35%, or multiple anticipated vessel openings), recipients in the PLDRH group exhibited significantly more early major complications (P=0.029) compared with those in the CDRH group. As PLDRH gains traction in practice, it is essential to acknowledge that specific donor conditions, such as advanced age, limited remnant liver volume, and anticipation of multiple portal or bile duct openings, may merit contemplating CDRH as a means of optimizing recipient outcomes.

Comparison of laparoscopic hepatectomy and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis

AimThe purpose of this study was to compare the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) for the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma.MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Medline from January 2000 to May 2022 for literature comparing the efficacy of LH and PRFA in the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma (largest tumour diameter ≤ 3 cm, number of intrahepatic tumours ≤3, or diameter of a single intrahepatic lesion ≤5 cm.). We assessed overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), local recurrence and complication rates.ResultsA total of 1886 patients with small HCC were included in the 8 studies included in this study, of which 839 underwent LH and 1047 underwent PRAF. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the two groups had the same 3-year (HR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.67 to 1.47) and 5-year (HR: 1.30, 95% CI: 0.90 to 1.87) OS rates, and the LH group had better 3-year (HR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.49 to 0.68) and 5-year (HR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.37 to 0.85) RFS rates. The LH group had a lower local recurrence rate (OR: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.32), but the PRFA group had a lower complication rate (OR: 2.49, 95% CI: 1.76 to 3.54).ConclusionThere was no difference in OS between LH and PRFA in the treatment of small HCC. LH had a higher RFS rate and a lower local recurrence rate, but PRFA had a lower complication rate. In general, the long-term efficacy of LH in the treatment of small HCC is better than that of PRFA. Considering the advantages of less trauma and a low complication rate of PRFA, a large number of RCT studies are needed for further verification in the future.

Short-term outcomes of laparoscopic extended hepatectomy versus major hepatectomy: a single-center experience

IntroductionLaparoscopic major hepatectomy (LMH) remains restricted to a few specialized centers and poses a challenge to surgeons performing laparoscopic resections. Laparoscopic extended resections are even more complex and rarely conducted. MethodsFrom a single-institution database, we compared the short-term outcomes of patients who underwent major and extended laparoscopic resections, stratifying the entire retrospective cohort into four groups: right hepatectomy, left hepatectomy, right extended hepatectomy, and left extended hepatectomy. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, operative variables, and especially postoperative outcomes were evaluated. Results250 patients underwent major and extended laparoscopic liver resections, including 160 right, 31 right extended, 36 left, and 23 left extended laparoscopic hepatectomies. The most common indication for resection was colorectal liver metastases (64%). Laparoscopic extended hepatectomy (LEH) showed significantly longer operative time, more blood loss, need for Pringle maneuver, conversion to open surgery, higher rates of liver failure, postoperative ascites, and intra-abdominal hemorrhage, R1 margins and length of stay when compared with the LMH group. Mortality rates were similar between groups. Multivariate analysis revealed intraoperative blood transfusion (OR = 5.1[CI-95%: 1.15–6.79]; p = 0.02) as an independent predictor for major complications. ConclusionsLEH showed to be feasible, however with higher blood loss and significantly associated to major complications.

Laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy guided by indocyanine green fluorescence: A cranial-dorsal approach.

Advancements in laparoscopic technology and a deeper understanding of intrahepatic anatomy have led to the establishment of more precise laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) techniques. The indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence navigation technique has emerged as the most effective method for identifying hepatic regions, potentially overcoming the limitations of LH. While laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy (LLH) is a standardized procedure, there is a need for innovative strategies to enhance its outcomes. To investigate a standardized cranial-dorsal strategy for LLH, focusing on important anatomical markers, surgical skills, and ICG staining methods. Thirty-seven patients who underwent ICG fluorescence-guided LLH at Qujing Second People's Hospital between January 2019 and February 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The cranial-dorsal approach was performed which involves dissecting the left hepatic vein cephalad, isolating the Arantius ligament , exposing the middle hepatic vein, and dissecting the parenchyma from the dorsal to the foot in order to complete the anatomical LLH. The surgical methods, as well as intra- and post-surgical data, were recorded and analyzed. Our hospital's Medical Ethics Committee approved this study (Ethical review: 2022-019-01). Intraoperative blood loss during LLH was 335.68 ± 99.869 mL and the rates of transfusion and conversion to laparotomy were 13.5% and 0%, respectively. The overall incidence of complications throughout the follow-up (median of 18 months; range 1-36 months) was 21.6%. No mortality or severe complications (level IV) were reported. LLH has the potential to become a novel, standardized approach that can effectively, safely, and simply expose the middle hepatic vein and meet the requirements of precision surgery.

Malignant melanoma located in the ureter and gallbladder: A case report and literature review.

Melanoma is one of a common cutaneous malignancy. Currently, metastatic malignant melanoma is difficult to be diagnosed through imaging examinations. Furthermore, the incidence of metastatic melanoma affecting the gallbladder and ureter is exceptionally rare. A 54-year-old female was admitted to the hospital with a half-month history of left lower back pain. Correlative examination revealed an occupying lesion in the mid-left ureter and the neck of the gallbladder. The patient was initially diagnosed with gallbladder cancer and left ureteral carcinoma based on imaging. Following 2 operations, immunohistochemical staining confirmed the presence of metastatic melanoma involving both the gallbladder and ureter. After multidisciplinary consultation and obtaining consent from the patient and her family, the patient underwent left radical nephroureterectomy, radical cholecystectomy, laparoscopic partial hepatectomy (Hep IV, Hep V), and lymph node dissection of hepatoduodenal ligament. One month after treatment, the patient imaging showed no disease progression, and at 6 months of follow-up, the patient was still alive. It is difficult to distinguish metastatic melanoma from carcinoma in situ by imaging. In addition, metastatic malignant melanoma lacks specific clinical manifestations and is prone to misdiagnosis, which emphasizes the highly aggressive nature of malignant melanoma.

Total laparoscopic partial hepatectomy versus open partial hepatectomy for primary left-sided hepatolithiasis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThe advantages of laparoscopic left-sided hepatectomy (LLH) for treating hepatolithiasis in terms of the time to postoperative length of hospital stay (LOS), morbidity, long-term abdominal wall hernias, hospital costs, residual stone rate, and recurrence of calculus have not been confirmed by a randomized controlled trial. The aim of this trial is to compare the safety and effectiveness of LLH with open left-sided hepatectomy (OLH) for the treatment of hepatolithiasis.MethodsPatients with hepatolithiasis eligible for left-sided hepatectomy will be recruited. The experimental design will produce two randomized arms (laparoscopic and open hepatectomy) at a 1:1 ratio and a prospective registry. All patients will undergo surgery in the setting of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programme. The prospective registry will be based on patients who cannot be randomized because of the explicit treatment preference of the patient or surgeon or because of ineligibility (not meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria) for randomization in this trial. The primary outcome is the LOS. The secondary outcomes are percentage readmission, morbidity, mortality, hospital costs, long-term incidence of incisional hernias, residual stone rate, and recurrence of calculus. It will be assumed that, in patients undergoing LLH, the length of hospital stay will be reduced by 1 day. A sample size of 86 patients in each randomization arm has been calculated as sufficient to detect a 1-day reduction in LOS [90% power and α = 0.05 (two-tailed)]. The trial is a randomized controlled trial that will provide evidence for the merits of laparoscopic surgery in patients undergoing liver resection within an ERAS programme.ConclusionsAlthough the outcomes of LLH have been proven to be comparable to those of OLH in retrospective studies, the use of LLH remains restricted, partly due to the lack of short- and long-term informative RCTs pertaining to patients with hepatolithiasis in ERAS programmes. To evaluate the surgical and long-term outcomes of LLH, we will perform a prospective RCT to compare LLH with OLH for hepatolithiasis within an ERAS programme.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03958825. Registered on 21 May 2019.

Tampa Difficulty Score: a novel scoring system for difficulty of robotic hepatectomy

BACKGROUNDDifficulty scoring systems (DSS) have been established for laparoscopic hepatectomy and serve as useful tools to predict difficulty and guide preoperative planning. Despite increased adoption of robotics and its unique technical characteristics compared with laparoscopy, no DSS currently exists for robotic hepatectomy. We aim to introduce a new DSS for robotic hepatectomy. METHODS328 patients undergoing a robotic hepatectomy were identified. After removing the first 24 major and 30 minor hepatectomies using CUSUM analysis, 274 patients were included in this study. Relevant clinical variables underwent linear regression using operative time and/or estimated blood loss (EBL) as markers for operative difficulty. Score distribution was analyzed to develop a difficulty-level grouping system. RESULTSOf the 274 patients, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, tumor location, size, type, extent of parenchymal resection, need for portal lymphadenectomy, and need for biliary resection with hepaticojejunostomy were significantly associated with operative time and/or EBL. They were utilized to develop the difficulty scores from 1-49. Grouping system results were: Group 1 (Less Demanding/Beginner): 1-8 (n=39), Group 2 (Intermediate): 9-24 (n=208), Group 3 (More Demanding/Advanced): 25-32 (n=17), and Group 4 (Most Demanding/Expert): 33-49 (n=10). When stratified by group, age, prior abdominal operation, Child-Pugh score, operative duration, estimated blood loss, major resection, 30-day mortality, 90-day mortality, and length of stay were significantly different among the groups. CONCLUSIONSIn addition to established variables in laparoscopic systems, new factors such as the need for portal lymphadenectomy and biliary resection specific to the robotic approach have been identified in this new robotic DSS. Internal and external validation are the next steps in maturing this robotic DSS.