Laparoscopic Left Hemihepatectomy Research Articles

Dorsal approach in laparoscopic extended left hemi-hepatectomy: A case series.

The utility of the dorsal approach has been reported for laparoscopic left hemi-hepatectomy. The aim of the present study is to show the usefulness of the dorsal approach for laparoscopic extended left-hemi-hepatectomy while ensuring safe identification of hepatic veins and dissection of the dorsal tumor margin. Tumors requiring extended left hemi-hepatectomy. After mobilization of the lateral sector and division of the Arantius plate, parenchyma above the Arantius plate is removed to expose the root of the middle hepatic vein and left hepatic vein. Each of these veins can be isolated separately either intra- or extra-hepatically. After removing the parenchyma on the cranial side of the left Glissonean pedicle continuous with the exposed hepatic veins, the left Glissonean pedicle is isolated using the Glissonean pedicle transection method. After division of the left hepatic vein and Glissonean pedicle, segment 4 (in which the main part of the tumor is commonly located) is dissected from the anterior plane of the paracaval portion of the caudate lobe by the dorsal approach, along with the hepatic hilum. Following dissection of the dorsal side of the tumor, and division of parenchyma from the anterior edge of the liver, the anterior Glissonean branches and middle hepatic vein are divided safely and the specimen is resected. Three patients underwent laparoscopic extended left hemi-hepatectomy, with no open conversions. Operative time and blood loss were 331 (concomitant with another partial hepatectomy), 277, and 315 minutes; and 200, 100, and 100 g, respectively. The postoperative courses were uneventful. The dorsal approach maximizes the advantages of laparoscopic extended left hemi-hepatectomy and can be performed safely.

Clonorchis sinensis: a mimic of hepatic mucinous cystic neoplasm or just a fluke?

Liver flukes, endemic in East Asia, are parasites that can infect humans and cause liver and bile duct disease. While most infected individuals are asymptomatic, chronic infection can lead to structural hepatobiliary manifestations including hepatomegaly, intrahepatic bile duct dilatation, epithelial hyperplasia, periductal fibrosis, and potentially cholangiocarcinoma. There are no reports of human cases of liver fluke infection presenting as a hepatic cystic lesion. We present the case of a 52-year-old asymptomatic Chinese immigrant presenting with a suspected mucinous cystic neoplasm of the liver. CT and Ultrasound examinations demonstrated an enlarging complex cyst involving segments II and III. Liver function tests, hydatid serology and tumour markers were normal. He underwent elective laparoscopic left hemi-hepatectomy with liver fluke discovered on histology. Subsequent genetic testing confirmed Clonorchis sinensis infection. The patient made an uneventful recovery from surgery and was treated with anthelminthic therapy. This case highlights the importance of considering liver fluke as a differential diagnosis for hepatic cystic lesions in patients from endemic regions. Appropriate diagnosis could avoid surgery, whilst targeted anthelminthic therapy minimises the risk of chronic infection and associated complications, including cholangiocarcinoma.

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.

Laparoscopic anatomical left hemihepatectomy guided by middle hepatic vein in the treatment of left hepatolithiasis with a history of upper abdominal surgery.

This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic anatomical left hemihepatectomy guided by the middle hepatic vein (MHV) for the treatment of patients with hepatolithiasis who had a history of upper abdominal surgery. Retrospective data analysis was performed on patients who underwent laparoscopic left hepatectomy for hepatolithiasis and with previous upper abdominal surgery at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from January 2018 to April 2022. According to the different surgical approaches, patients were divided into laparoscopic anatomical left hepatectomy guided by the MHV group (MHV-AH group) and laparoscopic traditional anatomical left hepatectomy not guided by the MHV group (non-MHV-AH group). This study included 81 patients, with 37 and 44 patients in the MHV-AH and non-MHV-AH groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in the basic information between the two groups. Five cases were converted to laparotomy, and the remaining were successfully completed under laparoscopy. Compared to the non-MHV-AH group, the MHV-AH group had a slightly longer operation time (319.30min vs 273.93min, P = 0.032), lower bile leakage rate (5.4% vs 20.5%, P = 0.047), stone residual rate (2.7% vs 20.5%, P = 0.015), stone recurrence rate (5.4% vs 22.7%, P = 0.028), and cholangitis recurrence rate (2.7% vs 22.7%, P = 0.008).There were no significant differences in the results of other observation indices between the groups. Laparoscopic anatomical left hepatectomy guided by the MHV is safe and effective in the treatment of left hepatolithiasis with a history of upper abdominal surgery. It does not increase intraoperative bleeding and reduces the risk of postoperative bile leakage, residual stones, stone recurrence, and cholangitis recurrence.

Laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy guided by real-time indocyanine green fluorescence imaging using the arantius-first approach

Background and objectiveLaparoscopic hepatectomy approaches, including major hepatectomy, were rapidly developed in the past decade. However, standard laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy (LLH) is still only performed in high-volume medical centres. In our series, we describe our technical details and surgical outcomes of LLH.MethodsThirty-nine patients who underwent LLH in our institute were enrolled in the study. Among these, 13 patients underwent LLH guided by real-time ICG fluorescence imaging using the Arantius-first approach (ICG-LLH group), and the other 26 underwent conventional LLH (conventional LLH group). Demographic characteristics and perioperative data were retrospectively collected and analysed. We compared the technical and postoperative short-term outcomes of the two groups.ResultsThere were no significant differences in the demographic or clinicopathological characteristics of the patients in the two groups. ICG-LLH required significantly fewer pringle manoeuvres (1 vs. 3 times, p < 0.0001), had a shorter parenchyma dissection time (26 vs. 78 min, p < 0.001), and required fewer vessel clips (18 vs. 28, p < 0.001). Although there was no significant difference, the ICG-LLH group had less bile leakage (0 vs. 5, p = 0.09) and less blood loss (120 vs. 165, p = 0.119). There were no significant differences in the overall complication or R0 resection rates between the two groups.ConclusionOur data demonstrate that laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy guided by real-time ICG fluorescence imaging using the Arantius-first approach is safe and feasible in selected patients, thus improving the fluency of the surgical procedure and postoperative short-term outcomes.

Laparoscopic surgical technique for left intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with lymph node metastasis after conversion therapy (with video).

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) with lymph node metastasis has a poor clinical prognosis. Comprehensive surgical treatment based on surgery is critical for improving the prognosis. Conversion therapy provides an opportunity for radical surgery in such patients but also increases the difficulty of surgery. The technical barrier to laparoscopic lymph node dissection is determining the extent of regional lymph node dissection after conversion therapy and formulating a suitable procedure to ensure the quality of lymph node dissection and oncological safety. One patient with initially unresectable left ICC underwent successful conversion therapy at another hospital. Then, we performed laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy with middle hepatic vein resection and regional lymph node dissection. Specific surgical techniques are used to reduce injury and bleeding, ultimately reducing the incidence of complications and promoting rapid recovery of patients. No postoperative complications were noted. The patient recovered well; no tumor recurrence was observed during the follow-up. Preoperatively planned regional lymph node dissection provides a reference for exploring the standard laparoscopic surgical treatment of ICC. Procedural regional lymph node dissection and artery protection techniques ensure quality and oncological safety in lymph node dissection. When selecting appropriate cases, as long as the laparoscopic surgical technique is mastered, laparoscopic surgery is safe and feasible with faster postoperative recovery and less trauma for left ICC.

A novel Laennec's capsule tunnel approach for pure laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy: a propensity score matching study.

With the development of laparoscopic hepatectomy, there are different surgical approaches and pedicle anatomical methods for laparoscopic left hepatectomy. Combined with our practical experience, we proposed a method of transhepatic Laennec membrane tunnel for laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy (LT-LLH) and investigated the feasibility by comparison with the extrahepatic Glissonian approach for laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy (GA-LLH). The data of patients who underwent laparoscopic left hepatectomy in the Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic surgery of Fujian Provincial Hospital from December 2019 to March 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 45 cases underwent laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy with an extrahepatic Glissonian approach, and 38 cases underwent laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy via transhepatic Laennec membrane tunnel approach. A 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) method was performed to compare the perioperative indexes and long-term tumor prognosis between the two groups. After 1:1 PSM, 33 patients in each group were selected for further analysis. Compared with the GA-LLH group, the operation time of the LT-LLH group was shorter. There was no significant difference in the incidence of total complications between the two groups. Moreover, no statistical differences were found in disease-free survival and overall survival between the two groups. It is safe, faster, and convenient for selective appropriate cases to carry out laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy through the hepatic Laennec membrane tunnel, which is suitable for clinical promotion.

The value of analyzing textbook outcomes after laparoscopic hepatectomy-a narrative review.

Guidelines are required because of the wide variability in care provided to patients with similar characteristics and similar medical conditions. Quality indicators were developed many years ago to assess the quality of care provided by hospitals. Since then, it has become evident that a composite set of factors can better characterize the patient's quality of care. The objectives of this review were to analyze the textbook outcomes (TO) applied in surgery, focusing on laparoscopic hepatectomy. Data pertaining to quality indicators used in hospitals and their surgical applications were retrieved from medical literature by searching PubMed and Google Scholar for articles published between 1912 and 2022. Search terms included quality indicators, outcome indicators, TOs, TOs after surgery, TOs after hepatectomy, and clinical indicators. Since their inception, TO have been applied to various procedures and their impacts on patients have been assessed. TO and their implications have been studied for a variety of surgical procedures and were recently extended to laparoscopic hepatectomy. TO of laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy and right hemihepatectomy were recently assessed, and benchmark values have been defined. TO are useful tools for assessing hospital performance and for optimizing the outcomes of patients undergoing laparoscopic hepatectomy. At present, TO only consider surgeon-related factors. However, it is important to include the patient's perspective when defining TO. Although TO were recently applied to laparoscopic hepatectomy, there is still a need to further evaluate their application in this setting. Achieving TO was shown to have a positive impact on long-term outcomes and this needs to be studied for different liver resection procedures.

Laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy using the extrahepatic Glissonean approach: Technical tips for entering gaps.

There are two methods for selective inflow control from the liver hilum: individual hilar dissection and the Glissonean pedicle approach. The Glissonean pedicle approach has been increasingly used in laparoscopic anatomical liver resection. Recently, the extrahepatic Glissonean approach has been standardized due to the anatomical concept of Laennec's capsule. This article describes the technical details of entering gaps between the Laennec's capsule and Glissonean pedicle in laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy using the extrahepatic Glissonean approach. The key procedures of the laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy using the extrahepatic Glissonean approach included the following: (1) Dissection of left side of the hilar plate, (2) Dissection of ventral side of caudal end of the Arantius ligament, (3) Dissection and transection of left Glissonean pedicle. Our standardized technique is to create gap between the Laennec's capsule and Glissonean pedicle through appropriate traction and countertraction at the anatomical landmarks. Our procedure helps the surgeons to reproduce the extrahepatic Glissonean approach without parenchymal transection.

Laparoscopic Left Hemihepatectomy Using the Hilar Plate-First Approach (with Video).

Effective inflow and outflow control of the liver is essential for a safe hepatectomy. Detachment of the hilar plate is a fundamental technique in the Glissonean approach. The hilar plate is situated near the middle hepatic vein, which runs in the midplane of the liver, and serves as a landmark during hemihepatectomy. In this study, we describe the technical details and surgical outcomes of laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy using the hilar plate-first approach. The key procedures of the hilar plate-first approach included the following: (1) detachment of the hilar plate for the left Glissonean approach, (2) the middle hepatic vein approach from the hilar plate, (3) parenchymal transection along the ischemic line and middle hepatic vein, and (4) transection of the left Glissonean pedicle at the ventral aspect of the Arantius ligament. Between September 2020 and September 2021, 12 patients underwent laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy using the hilar plate-first approach. The median operation time was 227min (range 140-350min), and the median estimated blood loss was 82.5ml (range 50-150ml). The median length of postoperative hospital stay was 7days (range 5-10days). No major complications, including biliary complications, were observed. The hilar plate-first approach contributes to the standardization of surgical techniques for laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy. This technique is a safe and effective approach for the inflow and outflow systems of the left hemiliver.

Crucial Roles of the Assistant Surgeon During Laparoscopic Left Hemihepatectomy.

BackgroundAlthough left hemihepatectomy has been widely performed via the laparoscopic approach, the roles of the assistant surgeon have not been well-documented so far. We herein present our standardized procedures of laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy without Spiegel’s lobe resection, focusing on the crucial roles of the assistant surgeon.MethodsDuring laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy without Spiegel’s lobe resection, countertraction by the assistant surgeon is quite important especially during isolating the left Glissonean pedicle and transecting liver parenchyma. When securing the left hepatic pedicle using the Glissonean approach, the assistant surgeon pushes Segment 4 of the liver cranially and pulls the tape encircling the hepatoduodenal ligament caudally in the opposite way, orthogonal to the direction of the laparoscopic forceps toward the left portal triad. During liver parenchymal transection, the assistant surgeon pulls the hanging tape across the left lobe of the liver in order to provide a wide and stable liver transection plane.With this standardized technique, nine cases of laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy were performed over the last two years in our department, and the perioperative data were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsThe median age of the nine patients was 70 years (range: 58 - 84 years). Most of the patients were males (77.8%). Five of nine patients were diagnosed with colorectal liver metastasis, two with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one with inflammatory pseudotumor, and the other one with hepaticolithiasis. There were no conversions to open surgery. The median operative time and estimated blood loss were 337 minutes (range: 219 - 478 minutes) and 100 ml (range: 41 - 375 ml), respectively. The median length of postoperative hospital stay was nine days (range: 7 - 16 days). Major complications (Clavien-Dindo classification grade III or more) were not encountered in our cohort postoperatively.ConclusionWe presented here our standardized assistant roles during laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy without Spiegel’s lobe resection, which was revealed to be safe and feasible in our cohort.

Laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy by the hilar plate first approach (with video)

Laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy by the hilar plate first approach (with video)

Laparoscopic Left Hemihepatectomy for Intrahepatic Cholangiocellular Carcinoma: An Adequate Lymphadenectomy is Also Possible in Artery Variation

BackgroundLaparoscopic liver resection (LLR) is becoming essential in the treatment of malignant liver tumors but only a few reports exist about LLR for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC).MethodsWe present a video of a laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy with lymphadenectomy for IHCC.Case presentationA 67-year-old asymptomatic male underwent a routine abdominal ultrasound, revealing a 15 × 9 mm solid nodular iso-hyperechoic lesion, located in SIII, with SII/III biliary duct dilation. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a 32 × 22 mm lesion in SII/III, with mild hyper-intensity on T2-weighted images and strong hypo-intensity on T1-weighted images. After administration of contrast medium, the lesion showed light peripheral enhancement on the portal and delayed phases, and hypo-intensity on the hepatospecific phase. No relevant comorbidities were reported (KPS 100). Laboratory tests showed normal liver function and normal CA19-9 levels. A laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy was indicated.ResultsOperative time was 330 min. Four intermittent Pringle maneuver cycles were applied and no blood transfusions were administered. Intraoperative ultrasound confirmed preoperative findings and additionally highlighted involvement of the SIV duct. A full replacing right hepatic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery was identified and was preserved during hilar dissection. Postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 3. The pathology report indicated cholangiocellular carcinoma pT1bN0. Twelve lymph nodes were retrieved.ConclusionsAccording to recent literature reports and our experience, laparoscopic surgery for intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma should be considered feasible and safe in selected patients. Hepatic artery variations allow for adequate lymphadenectomy. Oncological long-term results require multicenter randomized studies in order to be validated.

Dorsal vs ventral approach to the middle hepatic vein during laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy: multicenter retrospective observational study.

Left hemihepatectomy requires exposure of the middle hepatic vein (MHV) at the cutting-surface. Two procedures are used to approach the MHV: a conventional ventral approach and a laparoscopy-specific dorsal approach. This multicenter retrospective observational study aimed to evaluate the perioperative outcomes of these two procedures. Clinical records of 38 consecutive patients that underwent laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy in four university hospitals between 2016 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Outcome measurements were operative blood loss, operating time, trend of postoperative laboratory data within 7days after hepatectomy, and postoperative complications. Quality of MHV exposure was also evaluated and compared by three-grade evaluation (excellent/good/poor) using recorded still images of the cut-surface of the remnant liver (n = 35). Dorsal and ventral approaches were performed in 9 and 29 patients, respectively. Median operating time was 316min (dorsal) and 314min (ventral) (P = 0.71). Median operative blood loss was 45ml (dorsal) and 105ml (ventral) (P = 0.10). Two patients in the ventral approach group had bleeding in excess of 500ml, which was not seen in the dorsal approach group. Excellent/good/poor MHV appearance on the cutting-surface was observed in 5/3/1 patients in the dorsal approach group, respectively, and in 7/8/11 patients in the ventral approach group, respectively (P = 0.03). In the ventral approach group, significant increases of aspartate aminotransferase (on postoperative day 1 and day 4/5) and of alanine aminotransferase (on postoperative day 2/3 and 4/5) were observed (P < 0.05). Postoperative complications were observed only in the ventral approach group (n = 3). The dorsal approach could achieve safe and precise anatomical left hemihepatectomy with operation time and operative blood loss comparable to the conventional ventral approach.

Safe perioperative management of major hepatectomy in a patient with portal hypertension after elimination of hepatitis C: a case report

BackgroundThe administration of direct-acting antiviral agents in patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatitis C has been shown to improve liver function and long-term prognosis after sustained virological response (SVR) is achieved. However, in patients with portal hypertension (PH) at the time of SVR, PH may persist despite improvement in liver function.Case presentationAn 82-year-old woman with liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis C was treated with direct-acting antiviral agents and achieved SVR. During follow-up, computed tomography revealed a low-density tumor in the left lateral region of the liver with dilation of the left intrahepatic bile duct. Considering the patient’s advanced age and PH persistence with a mild decrease in liver reserve function after SVR, preoperative percutaneous transhepatic portal embolization (PTPE) and partial splenic embolization (PSE) were performed concomitantly. Laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy was performed 8 days after the PTPE and PSE. The patient was discharged 8 days after surgery without any postoperative complications.ConclusionsLaparoscopic left hemihepatectomy after preoperative management of PH was performed safely in a patient after the elimination of hepatitis C.

Laennec\u2019s approach for laparoscopic anatomical hemihepatectomy

BackgroundLaennec’s capsule has been found for about 200 years. However, laparoscopic anatomical right and left hemihepatectomy (LARH and LALH) using Laennec’s approach are rarely reported.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the technical details and the surgical outcomes of 15 patients who underwent LAH via Laennec’s approach between May 2017 and July 2020. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, and hospital stay were recorded and analyzed.ResultsFour of 15 patients were diagnosed with hepatic hemangioma, 2 had hepatolithiasis, and 9 patients had primary liver cancer. During the surgery, Laennec’s approach was used for LAH without conversion to open surgery. Four patients were treated with LARH, and 11 patients were cured with LALH. The mean age of the patients was 62.1 ± 6.5 years, and four were male. The mean operative time, blood loss, and length of the postoperative hospital stay were 193 ± 49 min, 247 ± 120 mL, and 8.7 ± 2.0 days, respectively. There was no incidence of postoperative bile leakage and bleeding. No mortality occurred. We also demonstrated that Laennec’s capsule does exist around the peripheral hepatic veins with histological confirmation.ConclusionsLaennec’s approach is safe and feasible for LAH. Precise isolation of Laennec’s approach based on Laennec’s capsule helps to standardize the surgical techniques for laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy.

Comparison between robotic-assisted and laparoscopic left hemi-hepatectomy

ObjectiveTo compare the safety and short-term outcomes between robotic-assisted and laparoscopic left hemi-hepatectomies in a single academic medical center. MethodsA cohort of 52 patients, who underwent robotic-assisted or laparoscopic left hemi-hepatectomies between April 2015 and January 2020 in Department of Pancreatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University was recruited into the study. Their clinicopathological features and short-term outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. ResultsThere were 25 robotic-assisted and 27 laparoscopic cases, with a median age of 55 years (34–77 years). There was one conversion to open in laparoscopic group. There were no significant differences in clinicopathological features between two groups, except robotic group had higher body mass index (23.9 vs. 22.0 kg/m2, p = 0.047). Robotic-assisted and laparoscopic groups had similar operative time (300 vs. 310 min, p = 0.515), length of hospital stay (8 vs. 8 days, p = 0.981) and complication rates (4.0% vs. 14.8%, p = 0.395), but the former had less blood loss (100 vs. 200 ml, p < 0.001) and lower incidence of blood transfusion (0% vs. 22.2%, p = 0.023) in comparison with laparoscopic group. R0 resection was achieved for all patients with malignancies. There was no perioperative mortality in both groups. The cost of robotic group was higher than laparoscopic group (105,870 vs. 64,191 RMB yuan, p = 0.02). ConclusionThe robotic-assisted and laparoscopic approaches had similar safety and short-term outcomes in left hemi-hepatectomy, and the former can reduce operative blood loss and blood transfusion. However, the costs were higher in robotic group.

The difficulties and surgical decision analysis of laparoscopic technique in treating complicated hepatolithiasis

Objective: To explore the difficulties and surgical decision of laparoscopic technique in patients with complicated hepatolithiasis. Methods: The clinical data of 13 patients with complicated hepatolithiasis who underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy at Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from December 2019 to December 2020 were collected. There were 3 males and 10 females with average age of 50.8 years (range: 14 to 67 years). All patients had upper abdominal pain and a history of cholecystectomy, 4 of them had fever.Seven cases underwent laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy+bile duct exploration, 2 cases underwent laparoscopic right hemihepatectomy+bile duct exploration, 2 cases underwent laparoscopic quadrate hepatectomy (liver 4B+Part 5)+hilar cholangioplasty+bile duct exploration, 2 cases underwent laparoscopic quadrate lobe resection (liver 4B+Part 5)+cholangioplasty+cholangiojejunostomy. All patients were re-examined with abdominal ultrasound and choledochoscope 3 months after operation. Results: The median operation time was 5.2 hours (range: 3.6-6.5 hours), blood loss was 278 ml (range: 120-580 ml). During the operation, 1 case had duodenal bulb injury, and the defect area was about 1.0 cm × 1.2 cm. After timely detection, the defect area was carefully evaluated and trimmed. Absorbable suture was used to suture duodenal bulb, and gastrojejunostomy was performed after repair. One case had small intestinal serosa injury, which was intermittently sutured and embedded with absorbable suture. All the patients recovered smoothly without death. Three months after the operation, 12 patients completed abdominal ultrasound and T-tube sinus choledochoscopy. Residual stones were found in 3 patients, stones were removed in 2 patients by T-tube sinus choledochoscopy 3 months after the operation, 1 patient was still in the recovery period (within 3 months after surgery). No residual stones were found in the remaining 10 patients. Conclusion: The three key laparoscopic techniques in operation of complex hepatolithiasis: adhesiolysis and porta hepatis exposure, laparoscopic hepatectomy, and laparoscopic choledochojejunostomy are very important.

Indocyanine green fluorescence-guided laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy: efficacy of negative staining for precise parenchymal transection and bile duct resection

Purpose: ICG fluorescence imaging is useful to locate segmental boundaries for anatomical resection and to delineate biliary anatomy. Its application in laparoscopic liver surgery is being recently explored and perceived of usefulness given the lack of tactile sensation. This video documents the application of the negative ICG staining technique for an efficient fluorescence guide in pure laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy, for both precise parenchymal transection and bile duct resection. Method: The patient is affected by solitary intrahepatic recurrence of colorectal liver metastasis between Sg 3 and 4 with endobiliary thrombus dilating the left hemiliver biliary tree. The hilar approach is used to isolate the left hepatic artery and ipsilateral portal branch, and the inflow for the left hemiliver is selectively clamped. A solution of 10 mg of ICG diluted in 10 mL saline solution is administered i.v. and the camera switched to the near infrared light. Results: After 2 mins the right hemiliver becomes fluorescent and left hemiliver counterstained on the glissonian surface. The proper transection line is marked, and the transection started. Differently from the traditional vascular demarcation, the ICG fluorescence boundary remains highly visible along the deep transection planes which allows to follow a clear and clean dissection plane during all the transection time. The transection is continued up to the hilar plate until the left portal branch and ipsilateral hepatic artery are encountered, which are both secured with clips before bulldog removal it is ensured that the left hemiliver remains unperfused by ICG, and the two vessels are then interrupted. The left bile duct is identified intraparenchymally, with the endobiliary thrombus inside remaining counterstained, and it is encircled distally to its endobiliary bulging thus allowing precise bile duct section with sufficient free margin at first frozen section. The transection is carried forward up to the identification of the left hepatic vein, which is sectioned by vascular stapler, and the specimen then extracted after biliostatic and hemostatic check. Conclusion: ICG fluorescence imaging with negative staining is useful not only for segmental anatomical resections but safe and efficient technique for both precise parenchymal transection and bile duct resection during anatomical major hemihepatectomy.

Laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy combined with right lateral hepatic lobectomy in pigs: surgical approach and comparative study of the inflammatory response versus open surgery.

This study describes a left hemihepatectomy combined with a right lateral hepatic lobectomy. It compares the inflammatory response associated with laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH group, n = 7) with conventional open hepatectomy (OH group, n = 7). Blood was collected before surgery as well as 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 days after surgery to determine the white blood cell count and levels of serum cortisol (COR), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP). The left hemi-hepatectomy combined with a right lateral hepatic lobectomy was completed in miniature pigs. The average operative time was 139.00 ± 9.07 min, which was longer than that in the OH group (121.67 ± 3.02 min). The length of surgical incision associated with the OH group was 17.93 ± 1.09 cm, significantly longer than that related to the LH group (5.10 ± 0.17 cm). The estimated mean blood loss in the LH group was 136.43 ± 63.24 mL, which was significantly lower than that in the OH group. No severe complications (e.g., massive bleeding, bile leakage, and air embolism) were reported. The CRP levels, COR, and IL-6, increased significantly in the OH group and then slowly returned to their preoperative levels. A postoperative laparoscopic exploration revealed that the incised portion of the liver adhered to the omentum, but no additional abnormalities were observed. These findings indicate that a 4-trocar method for laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy combined with a right lateral hepatic lobectomy is safe and feasible. The inflammatory response for those receiving LH are lower than that for those receiving OH. This porcine model can be used as a research analog for liver disease and regeneration.