Laparoscopic Liver Resection In Patients Research Articles

A commentary on "Safety and feasibility of laparoscopic liver resection for patients with previous upper abdominal surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis".

A commentary on "Safety and feasibility of laparoscopic liver resection for patients with previous upper abdominal surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis".

Comparison between laparoscopic liver resection and open liver resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis.

Recently, the outcomes of surgical treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have improved. However, despite the technical advancements in laparoscopic liver resection (LLR), it is still not recommended as the standard treatment for HCC with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) because of the poor oncological outcomes. This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes of open liver resection (OLR) and LLR in patients with HCC with PVTT. A total of 86 patients with PVTT confirmed in the pathological report between January 2014 and December 2018, were enrolled. Short-term, postoperative, and long-term outcomes, including recurrence-free survival and overall survival rates, were evaluated. No difference between the two groups, except for age, was detected. The median age in the laparoscopic group was significantly higher than that in the open group. Regarding the pathological features, the maximal tumor size was significantly larger in the OLR; other pathological factors did not differ. There was no significant difference between overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Vp3 PVTT (hazards ratio [HR] 6.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9-18.5), Edmondson grade IV (HR 4.7, 95% CI 1.7-12.9, p = 0.003), and intrahepatic metastasis (HR 3.9, 95% CI 2.1-7.2, p < 0.001) remained the unique independent predictors of recurrence-free survival according to a multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. Laparoscopic liver resection for the management of HCC with PVTT provides the same short- and long-term results as those of the open approach.

Safety and Feasibility of Laparoscopic Liver Resection with the Clamp-Crush Method Using the BiSect.

Various energy devices are available for resection of the liver parenchyma during laparoscopic liver resection (LLR). We have historically performed liver resections using the Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator (CUSA). More recently, we have used new bipolar forceps (BiSect; Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH, Tübingen, Germany) to perform clamp-crush dissection with good results. The BiSect is a reusable bipolar forceps with a laparoscopic dissecting forceps tip and both an incision mode and coagulation mode. We evaluated the perioperative clinical course of patients who underwent LLR using the clamp-crush method with the BiSect compared with the CUSA. This single-center case control study involved patients with liver metastasis from colorectal cancer who underwent LLR using either the BiSect or CUSA at our hospital from January 2019 to December 2022. We performed the LLR using CUSA from January 2019 to early October 2020. After introduction of the BiSect in late October 2020, we used BiSect for the LLR. Before surgery, the three-dimensional liver was constructed based on computed tomography images, and a preoperative simulation was performed. We evaluated the results of LLR using the BiSect versus the CUSA and assessed the short-term results of LLR. During the study period, we performed partial liver resection using the BiSect in 26 patients and the CUSA in 16 patients. In the BiSect group, the median bleeding volume was 55 mL, the median operation time was 227 minutes, and the median postoperative length of hospital stay was 9 days. In the CUSA group, the median bleeding volume was 87 mL, the median operation time was 305 minutes, and the median postoperative length of hospital stay was 10 days. There were no statistically significant differences in the clinical course including bile leakage, bile duct stenosis, and post operative hospital stay between the two groups. Compared with LLR using the CUSA, the clamp-crush method using the BiSect in LLR is a safe and useful liver transection technique. Further study should be conducted to clarify whether BiSect is safe and useful in LLR for patients with other tumor types and patients who undergo other procedures.

Safety and efficacy of laparoscopic liver resection in patients with underlying liver disease

Safety and efficacy of laparoscopic liver resection in patients with underlying liver disease

The efficacy and safety of pure laparoscopic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in super-elderly patients over 80 years: A multicenter propensity analysis.

Very few reports have evaluated the safety of laparoscopic liver resection in super-elderly patients. We assessed the short-term outcomes of laparoscopic liver resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma aged ≥80 years, using propensity score matching. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 287 patients (aged ≥80 years) who underwent liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma at eight hospitals belonging to Hiroshima Surgical study group of Clinical Oncology, between January 2012 and December 2021. The perioperative outcomes were compared between laparoscopic and open liver resection, using propensity score matching. Of the 287 patients, 83 and 204 were included in the laparoscopic and open liver resection groups, respectively. Propensity score matching was performed, and 52 patients were included in each group. The operation (p = .68) and pringle maneuver (p = .11) time were not different between the groups. There were no significant differences in the incidences of bile leakage or organ failure. The laparoscopic liver resection group had significantly less intraoperative bleeding and a lower incidence of cardiopulmonary complications (both p < .01). Laparoscopic liver resection can be safely performed in elderly patients aged ≥80 years.

Laparoscopic Liver Resection Utilizing a Water Jet Scalpel for Patients With Liver Fibrosis.

Introduction A variety of devices are utilized in order to resect liver parenchyma in laparoscopic liver resection. However, liver fibrosis makes hepatectomy problematic because the liver is rigid and prone to bleeding. The water jet scalpel, which dissociates the liver parenchyma with a jet streamhas no thermal damageand is clinically utilized in liver resection, but its safety and efficacy during laparoscopic liver resection for patients with liver fibrosis remain unknown. Methods We analyzed patients who underwent laparoscopic liver resection utilizing the water jet scalpel with liver fibrosis at our hospital. A water jet scalpel was used for liver parenchymal transection, and a saline-linked ball-tipped electrocautery was simultaneously used for hemostasis. Results Subsectionectomy was one case, left lateral sectionectomy was two cases, and non-anatomical liver resection was three cases. The median blood loss was 70 mL (24-104 mL). There was no need for the intraoperative Pringle's maneuver. No perioperative blood transfusion was performed, and there were no postoperative complications, including posthepatectomy liver failure. Conclusion It was suggested that laparoscopic liver resection in patients with liver fibrosis can be safely performed with the water jet scalpel.

Association of Laparoscopic Surgery with Improved Perioperative and Survival Outcomes in Patients with Resectable Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis from Propensity-Score Matched Studies

BackgroundRecent studies have associated laparoscopic surgery with better overall survival (OS) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). The potential benefits of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) over open liver resection (OLR) have not been demonstrated in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCC).MethodsA systematic review of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases was performed to search studies comparing OS and perioperative outcome for patients with resectable iCC. Propensity-score matched (PSM) studies published from database inception to May 1, 2022 were eligible. A frequentist, patient-level, one-stage meta-analysis was performed to analyze the differences in OS between LLR and OLR. Second, intraoperative, postoperative, and oncological outcomes were compared between the two approaches by using a random-effects DerSimonian-Laird model.ResultsSix PSM studies involving data from 1.042 patients (530 OLR vs. 512 LLR) were included. LLR in patients with resectable iCC was found to significantly decrease the hazard of death (stratified hazard ratio [HR]: 0.795 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.638–0.992]) compared with OLR. Moreover, LLR appears to be significantly associated with a decrease in intraoperative bleeding (− 161.47 ml [95% CI − 237.26 to − 85.69 ml]) and transfusion (OR = 0.41 [95% CI 0.26–0.69]), as well as with a shorter hospital stay (− 3.16 days [95% CI − 4.98 to − 1.34]) and a lower rate of major (Clavien-Dindo ≥III) complications (OR = 0.60 [95% CI 0.39–0.93]).ConclusionsThis large meta-analysis of PSM studies shows that LLR in patients with resectable iCC is associated with improved perioperative outcomes and, being conservative, yields similar OS outcomes compared with OLR.

Surgical outcomes of laparoscopic liver resection for patients with old age

Surgical outcomes of laparoscopic liver resection for patients with old age

Single-port Laparoscopic Liver Resection in Patients with Previous Abdominal Surgeries: Is it a Feasible Approach?

Single-port laparoscopic liver surgery has become an attractive procedure for many surgeons in order to decrease surgical aggression and the complications related to laparoscopic ports. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and efficacy of single-port laparoscopic liver resections in patients with previous upper or lower abdominal surgery. A series of ten patients with history of previous abdominal surgery who underwent single-port laparoscopic surgery for liver metastases, primary liver cancer or benign hepatic tumor, is being presented here. Several clinical and operative parameters were reviewed from a historical database of laparoscopic hepatectomy. Key Words: Laparoscopic liver surgery, Single-port, Previous abdominal surgeries.

Association between Achieving Textbook Outcomes and Better Survival after Laparoscopic Liver Resection in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Introduction: Textbook outcomes (TO) are important to assess the quality of surgical procedures. Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) is considered a standard treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma located in the anterolateral segments of the liver. We investigated the factors affecting achievement of TO for LLR and its impact on survival.

Comparative Study of Laparoscopic Versus Open Liver Resection in Gallbladder Cancer

Background: In recent decades, laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) has been gradually adopted at high-volume centers, particularly for hepatocellular carcinoma and liver metastasis. However, LLR in patients with gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a controversial issue, and there are few studies of LLR for GBC. Our aim was to compare the outcomes of patients who underwent laparoscopic or open liver resection for GBC. Materials and Methods: All patients admitted with stage II or III GBC requiring liver resection, together with cholecystectomy and lymphadenectomy, were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with thickness of the resected liver specimen >2 cm in pathology reports were included. Results: A total of 56 patients with stage II or III GBC were included in this study; 23 (41.1%) underwent laparoscopic surgery and 33 (58.9%) underwent open surgery. Propensity score matching was performed using a 1:1 matching scheme. After matching, 12 patients were included in each group. The preoperative characteristics of both groups were similar, as were the operative times (laparoscopic versus open group: 237.5 minutes versus 272.5 minutes, respectively; P = .319) and blood loss (300 mL versus 275 mL, respectively; P = .307). The laparoscopic group had a significantly shorter postoperative hospital stay than the open surgery group (4.5 days versus 8 days, respectively; P = .012). There were no major complications in either group. There was no difference between the groups in the number of lymph nodes harvested at surgery (P = .910). There were no differences between the two groups in disease-free (P = .503) or overall (P = .719) survival. Conclusion: LLR extended to GBC provides outcomes similar to those of open surgery. With increasing experience, LLR can be a viable alternative to open surgery for GBC.

Laparoscopic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma presents less respiratory complications compared with open procedure: A propensity score analysis in the elderly

BackgroundResection is still the most efficacious treatment to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), among which laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) have controversial effects against conventional open procedure (OLR). With a predictable aging tendency of population worldwide, conventional surgical procedures need to be modified to better accommodate elderly patients. Here, we designed a retrospective study based on propensity score analysis, aiming to compare the efficacy of OLR and LLR in patients over 65 years. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed patients with an age over 65 who underwent liver resection between January 2015 and September 2018. Patients were divided into the LLR group and OLR group. Short-term and long-term outcomes were compared before and after 1:1 propensity score matching. ResultsAmong 240 enrolled patients, 142 were matched with comparable baseline (71 each group). In the matched cohort, LLR group presented with shorter postoperative hospital stay (median 7 vs 6 days, p = 0.003) and fewer respiratory complications (19.7% vs. 7.0%, p = 0.049), especially pleural effusion (15.5% vs. 2.8%, p = 0.020). Meanwhile, LLR had comparable overall hospital cost (6142 vs. 6243 USD, p = 0.977) compared with OLR. The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) did not differ in the two groups. ConclusionsOur study showed that laparoscopic liver resection for HCC in the older age groups is associated with shorter postoperative hospital stay and comparable hospital cost compared with open procedure, which could be attributable to less respiratory complications. We recommend that laparoscopy be taken as a priority option for elderly patients with resectable HCC.

Laparoscopic Liver Resection in Patients with Previous Upper Abdominal Laparotomy

Introduction: Laparoscopic Liver Resection (LLR) is now performed worldwide. However, LLR is sometimes difficult in patients with previous upper abdominal laparotomy. Methods: We did 78 LLRs in our institution from January 2012 to December 2019. In our cases, 7 patients were performed upper abdominal laparotomy previously. We did pure LLR and partial hepatetomy in the patients. We report the surgical outcomes of LLR in the patients. Results: The history of the upper abdominal surgery was as follows: gastrectomy in 2 cases, cholecystectomy in 1, and hepatectomy in 4. LLRs were performed for hepatocellular carcinoma in 5 cases and metastasis of gastro intestinal stromal tumor in 2. Their Child-Pugh Score was as follows: A in 5 cases and B in 2. There were no cases of conversion to open hepatectomy. Median intraoperative blood loss was 75ml and operative time was 151 minutes. Blood transfusion was performed in only one case. No postoperative complication was seen. Average duration postoperative hospital stay was 8 days. Conclusion: We investigated surgical outcome of LLR in patients with previous upper abdominal laparotomy. While our outcomes seems favorable and safety, further number of cases would be required to determine whether LLR is superior to open hepatectomy in patients with previous upper abdominal laparotomy.

Safety and feasibility of laparoscopic liver resection in patients with a history of abdominal surgeries

BackgroundLaparoscopic techniques have become the standard approach for most liver resections. Clinical studies providing conclusive evidence which patients benefit most from minimal-invasive surgery remain limited. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed data of all consecutive cases of laparoscopic liver resection between 2015 and 2018 at our center. We compared patients with and without prior abdominal surgeries with respect to postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo score), length of operation, length of ICU stay and length of hospitalization in univariate and multivariate analyses. ResultsWithin the study period 319 patients underwent laparoscopic liver resections, 44% of which had a history of abdominal surgeries. Pre-operative characteristics were similar to patients without prior surgeries. Both groups showed comparable rates of post-operative complications (Clavien-Dindo score ≥3a; 12% in patients without vs. 16% with prior surgeries, p = 0,322). There were no significant differences in length of surgery or length of stay in the ICU or in the hospital. ConclusionOur data suggest that history of prior abdominal surgery is not a risk factor for post-operative complications after laparoscopic liver resection. We conclude that prior abdominal surgery should not be considered a contra-indication for laparoscopic approach in liver resection.

Safety and feasibility of laparoscopic liver resection for patients with large or multiple intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas: A propensity score based case-matched analysis from a single institute.

Only a few high-volume centers have reported the efficacy of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). The minimally invasive approach is still controversial for ICC, especially when dealing with large (≥5 cm) or multiple (≥2) ICCs.Patients with large and multiple ICCs who underwent LLR or open hepatectomy (OH) between January 2012 and June 2017 were included. Furthermore, 1:2 propensity score matching (PSM) was performed between the LLR group and the OH group. Short- and long-term outcomes were compared between the different techniques.After PSM, LLR resulted in significantly longer operation time (median 225 minutes vs 190 minutes, P = .006) and pringle maneuver time (median 50 minutes vs 32.5 minutes, P = .001). There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative hospital stay between the different approaches (median 6 days vs 7 days, P = .092). The grade III/IV complication rates were comparable between the groups (5.6% vs 11.1%, P = .868). In the PSM subset, there was no significant difference in terms of overall survival (P = .645) or disease-free survival (P = .827) between patients in the LLR group and in the OH group.The present study showed that patients who underwent LLR for large or multiple ICCs could obtain similar short- and long-term outcomes compared with those who underwent OH, and lymph node dissection (LND) was technically difficult but feasible during LLR.

Autologous Blood Transfusion and Pringle Maneuver in Laparoscopic Segmental Hepatectomy for Benign Hepatic Neoplasms: A Retrospective Study.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of autologous blood transfusion (ABT) and Pringle maneuver (PM) on postoperative early liver function and short-term postoperative results following laparoscopic liver resection in patients with benign hepatic neoplasms. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data for 125 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic segmental hepatectomy from January 2015 to May 2018 (68 in the ABT group versus 57 in the PM group). We compared patients' characteristics and intra- and postoperative short-term outcomes between the groups. Results: The 2 groups were well matched regarding patients' clinical characteristics, types of liver resection, operative time, and histopathological findings (P > .05). Median blood loss was significantly lower in the PM group versus the ABT group (200 mL versus 750 mL, respectively; P < .01), and overall complication rates were similar (n = 12 [17%] versus n = 9 [16%], respectively; P > .05). The ABT group had significantly lower mean levels of total bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, aspartate transaminase, and alanine aminotransferase on postoperative days 1 and 3 (P < .05). The ABT group had a shorter hospital stay compared with the PM group (5.8 days versus 7.7 days, respectively; P < .05) and lower hospitalization costs (55,400 ± 15,400 versus 667,000 ± 21,600 CN dollars, respectively; P < .05). Conclusions: Compared with Pringle's maneuver, laparoscopic hepatectomy with ABT promoted early recovery of liver function and reduced hospitalization costs in select patients with benign hepatic neoplasms.

Our experience of repeat laparoscopic liver resection in patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma.

Repeat liver resection is an effective treatment approach for patients with recurrent hepatocellular cell carcinoma (HCC). However, the surgical feasibility and oncological significance of repeat laparoscopic liver resection (r-LLR) remain unproven. This study evaluates and compares the clinical outcomes of non-anatomic r-LLR applied towards recurrent HCC, with those of primary LLR (p-LLR) for primary HCC. This retrospective study reports 104 patients with HCC, treated with LLR between 2014 and 2018. Twenty eight of these patients underwent r-LLR for recurrent HCC. The clinical and surgical variables were reviewed for all cases. The analysis was limited to non-anatomic resection across both groups (r-LLR: 89% (25/28) vs. p-LLR: 80% (61/76)). There were no statistically significant differences about patient background between the two groups, with the exception of Child-Pugh classification. r-LLR surgical techniques included single-site laparoscopic adhesiolysis (32%, 8/25), Pringle maneuver (8%, 2/25), and crush-clamp method using BiClamp for hepatic parenchymal transection (72%, 18/25). No severe postoperative complications were observed in the r-LLR group. Postoperative hospital stays and procedure-related postoperative survival were similar for both groups. Non-anatomical r-LLR renders comparable surgical and oncological outcomes. Our data suggest that non-anatomical r-LLR is a safe and feasible therapeutic approach to recurrent HCC.

Robotic versus Laparoscopic Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Short-term and Long-term Oncologic Outcomes

Introduction: There is growing evidence supporting the feasibility and safety of robotic liver resection; however, data on long-term oncologic outcomes in patients with liver malignancy are still lacking. In this study, we performed a matched comparison of short- and long-term oncologic outcomes between robotic and laparoscopic liver resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Method: We retrospectively reviewed all cases of laparoscopic and robotic liver resection for HCC performed at our institute from 2006 to 2016. A total of 169 patients who underwent laparoscopic liver resection and 40 patients who underwent robotic liver resection were included. A multivariable logistic model based on factors related to the patient, tumor, and surgical procedure was then used to estimate propensity scores. Survival data were obtained using the Kaplan–Meier method. Result: The two groups did not differ significantly with respect to perioperative outcomes, measured in terms of estimated blood loss, transfusion rate, conversion rate to open surgery, resection margins, perioperative complication rates, and length of hospital stay. All resections were R0 resections, and no perioperative deaths were noted. The operation time was notably longer in the robotic group than in the laparoscopic group (median 488 vs. 306 min; P < 0.001). However, it was noted that more major resections were performed with the robotic approach than with the laparoscopic approach (87.5% vs. 23.1%; P < 0.001). After propensity score matching, the robotic group (n = 27) showed similar 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free (P = 0.696) and overall survival rates (P = 0.869) to those of the laparoscopic group (n = 27). Conclusion: Robotic liver resection for HCC produced similar oncologic outcomes in terms of R0 resection, 5-year disease-free survival, and overall survival rates, and allowed for more major liver resections to be performed as compared with laparoscopic liver resection.

Laparoscopic liver resection for patients with cardiac disease.

IntroductionThe gravest problem facing medicine is caring for an aging society and the comorbidities that develop with age, including an increasing prevalence of cardiac disease. Unrecognized or untreated cardiac disease increases the risk of complications in patients undergoing laparoscopic liver resection (LLR). We herein describe the preoperative status, perioperative outcomes, and postoperative courses of patients with or without cardiac disease who undergo LLR.Material and methodsThe data of 339 patients who underwent LLR at a single institution between 2010 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Their preoperative status, surgical outcomes, and postoperative courses were analyzed.ResultsOf 339 patients who underwent LLR, one was excluded for pre-existing severe valvular disease. Of the remaining 338 patients, 16 had coexisting cardiac disease and 322 did not. The patients with coexisting cardiac disease had a mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 66% (22–74%). LLR was performed after cardiac function was controlled in the patients with cardiac disease; there were no instances of increased central venous pressure (CVP) or destabilized vital signs during surgery. Intraoperative CVP did not differ between the groups (p = 0.521). There were no significant differences in the demographics except for age, operative characteristics, and surgical outcomes between the groups.ConclusionsPatients with non-severe or controlled severe cardiac disease do not exhibit different postoperative courses compared to patients without coexisting cardiac disease. Uncontrolled severe cardiac disease can lead to unstable vital signs during surgery, such as increased CVP. In such cases, treating the cardiac disease should be prioritized.

Benefits of laparoscopic liver resection in patients with Hepatocellular carcinoma and portal hypertension: a casematched study

Benefits of laparoscopic liver resection in patients with Hepatocellular carcinoma and portal hypertension: a casematched study