Open liver resection for colorectal metastases: better short- and long-term outcomes in patients potentially suitable for laparoscopic liver resection

Background:

There is no prospective randomized data comparing laparoscopic to open hepatectomy. This study compared short- and long-term outcomes in patients undergoing hepatectomy for colorectal metastases (CRM), who were suitable for either laparoscopic or open surgery.

Methods:

Data were prospectively collected from consecutive patients undergoing hepatic resection of CRM at a single centre (1987–2007). Patients who were suitable for laparoscopic resection (Group 1) were compared with patients whose tumour characteristics would best be considered for open resection (Group 2).

Results:

Out of 1152 hepatectomies, 266 (23.1%) were deemed suitable for a laparoscopic approach. The median (IQR) number of metastases was greater in Group 2 [2(1–20) vs. 1(1–10), P < 0.001], as was the mean (SD) tumour size [5.3(3.6) cm vs. 3.3(1.2) cm, P < 0.001]. The median (IQR) operation time [210 (70) min vs. 240 (90) min, P < 0.001] and blood loss [270 (265) ml vs. 355 (320) ml, P < 0.001] were less in Group 1. There was no difference in length of stay, morbidity or mortality. Patients in Group 2 had a higher R1 resection rate (14.9%) compared with Group 1 (4.5%, P < 0.001) and lower 5-year survival (37.8% vs. 44.2%, P= 0.005).

Discussion:

Current criteria for laparoscopic hepatectomy selects patients who have more straight-forward surgery, with less risk of an involved resection margin and better long-term survival, compared with patients unsuited to a laparoscopic approach. Clearly defined criteria for laparoscopic hepatectomy are essential to allow meaningful analysis of outcomes and the results of unrandomized series of laparoscopic hepatectomies must be interpreted with caution.     

Laparoscopic major liver resection in Korea: a multicenter study

Introduction

We report our experience with laparoscopic major liver resection in Korea based on a multicenter retrospective study.

Materials and methods

Data from 1,009 laparoscopic liver resections conducted from 2001 to 2011 were retrospectively collected. Twelve tertiary medical centers with specialized hepatic surgeons participated in this study.

Results

Among 1,009 laparoscopic liver resections, major liver resections were performed in 265 patients as treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma, metastatic tumor, intrahepatic duct stone, and other conditions. The most frequently performed procedure was left hemihepatectomy (165 patients), followed by right hemihepatectomy (53 patients). Pure laparoscopic procedure was performed in 190 patients including 19 robotic liver resections. Hand-assisted laparoscopic liver resection was performed in three patients and laparoscopy-assisted liver resection in 55 patients. Open conversion was performed in 17 patients (6.4 %). Mean operative time and estimated blood loss in laparoscopic major liver resection was 399.3 ± 169.8 min and 836.0 ± 1223.7 ml, respectively. Intraoperative transfusion was required in 65 patients (24.5 %). Mean postoperative length of stay was 12.3 ± 7.9 days. Postoperative complications were detected in 53 patients (20.0 %), and in-hospital mortality occurred in two patients (0.75 %). Mean number and mean maximal size of resected tumors was 1.22 ± 1.54 and 40.0 ± 27.8 mm, respectively. R0 resection was achieved in 120 patients with hepatic tumor, but R1 resection was performed in eight patients. Mean distance of safe resection margin was 14.6 ± 15.8 mm.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic major liver resection has become a reliable option for treatment of liver disease in Korea.     

Hepatocellular adenoma: an excellent indication for laparoscopic liver resection

Objectives

Laparoscopic resection for benign liver disease has gained wide acceptance in recent years and hepatocellular adenoma (HA) seems to be an appropriate indication. This study aimed to discuss diagnosis and treatment strategies, and to assess the feasibility, safety and outcomes of pure laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) in a large series of patients with HA.

Methods

Of 88 patients who underwent pure LLR, 31 were identified as having HA. Diagnosis was based on radiological evaluation and resections were performed for lesions measuring >5.0 cm.

Results

The sample included 29 female and two male patients. Their mean age was 33.2 years. A total of 27 patients had a single lesion, one patient had two and one had four lesions. The two remaining patients had liver adenomatosis. Mean tumour size was 7.5 cm. Three right hepatectomies, 17 left lateral sectionectomies and 11 wedge resections or segmentectomies were performed. There was no need for blood transfusion or conversion to open surgery. Postoperative complications occurred in two patients. Mean hospital stay was 3.8 days.

Conclusions

Hepatocellular adenoma should be regarded as an excellent indication for pure LLR. Pure LLR is safe and feasible and should be considered the standard of care for the treatment of HA when performed by surgeons with experience in liver and laparoscopic surgery.     

Surgical and oncologic outcomes following laparoscopic versus open liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma: A meta-analysis

Aim: Laparoscopic hepatectomy has become a common method for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) nowadays, but the oncologic risks of laparoscopic liver resection for HCC are still under investigation. We performed a meta‐analysis to quantitatively compare surgical and oncologic outcomes of patients with HCC undergoing laparoscopic versus open hepatectomy. Methods: Systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies comparing laparoscopic with open liver resection for HCC. Two authors independently assessed study quality and extracted data. All data were analyzed using RevMan 5. Results: Ten studies comprising 627 patients were eligible for inclusion. The overall rate of conversion to open surgery was 6.6%. The laparoscopic group had significantly less blood loss by 223.17 mL (95% confidence interval [CI]: ?331.81, ?114.54; P < 0.0001), fewer need for transfusions (odds ratio [OR]: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.22, .079; P = 0.007), shorter hospital stay by 5.05 days (95% CI: ?7.84, ?2.25; P = 0.0004) and fewer postoperative complications (OR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.32, 0.77; P = 0.002). No significant differences were found concerning surgery margin (weighted mean differences [WMD], 0.55; 95% CI: ?0.71, 1.80; P = 0.39), resection margin positive rate (OR, 0.63; 95% CI: 0.25, 1.54; P = 0.31) and tumor recurrence (OR, 0.79; 95% CI: 0.49, 1.27; P = 0.33). In the 244 patients that underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy of all 10 studies included, no patients developed tumor recurrence at the site of resection margin, peritoneal dissemination or trocar‐site metastases. Conclusions: On currently available evidence, laparoscopic resection appears not to affect oncologic outcomes and increase tumor recurrence. It also offers less blood loss, decreased rate of intraoperative transfusion and shorter lengths of hospital stay. Laparoscopic resection is a safe and feasible choice for selected patients with HCC.     

The learning curve in laparoscopic major liver resection

Laparoscopic major hepatectomy remains a relatively rare operation because it is a difficult and technically demanding procedure, and a standard, safe, reproducible technique has not been widely adopted. This is compounded by “major hepatectomy” encompassing multiple different operations each with their own anatomic and procedural considerations. In 2010, we investigated our learning curve for laparoscopic liver resection. We found a significant increase in the number of major hepatectomies performed over a 12-year period, with concurrent reductions in the use of hand-assistance, pedicle clamping, median clamping time, median operative time, blood loss and morbidity. This learning curve was confirmed by a subsequent multinational study. Both hospital and surgeon volume have been shown to affect outcomes, and defining a sufficient number of repetitions before the learning curve plateaus is not easy for laparoscopic major hepatectomy. We recommend that laparoscopic competencies be developed upon a foundation of open liver surgery and that laparoscopic major hepatectomy should only be attempted after competency with less technically complex laparoscopic resections. A center advanced along its institutional learning curve provides the collective expertise necessary for safe patient selection and management. An environment with colleagues willing to share their acquired proficiency allows the surgeon to observe and critique his or her performance against colleagues. Also, the guidance of like-minded surgeons supports technical development and improved outcomes. In conclusion, steady progress can be made along the learning curve through committed practice of increasingly complex tasks and with proper coaching in a high-volume environment.     

Open versus laparoscopic resection for liver tumours

Background:

The issue under debate is whether laparoscopic liver resections for malignant tumours produce outcomes which are comparable with conventional, open liver resections.

Methods:

Literature review on liver resection and laparoscopy.

Results:

There are no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published that provide any evidence for the benefits of laparoscopic liver resections for liver tumours. In case–control series reporting short-term outcomes, laparoscopic liver resection has been shown to have the advantage of a reduced length of hospital stay. There are as yet, however, no adequate long-term survival studies demonstrating that laparoscopic liver resection is oncologically equivalent to open resection.

Discussion:

The challenge for the near future is to test the oncological integrity of laparoscopic liver resection in controlled trials in the same way that we have learned from the RCTs carried out in laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer. It is likely that laparoscopic liver resection will then have to compete with fast-track, open liver resection. Already, concerns have been raised regarding the learning curve required to master the techniques of laparoscopic liver resection.     

肝占位性病变患者行腹腔镜下肝左外叶切除术的临床疗效观察

<正>1958年黄志强教授根据肝左外叶独特的解剖结构首先创用了肝脏部分切除术治疗肝内胆管结石,有效的提高了远期治疗效果,也为肝脏切除术的适用范围开辟了新的疆域[1]。从肝脏的解剖结构可知,肝脏是人体最大的实质性器官,含有丰富的血管系统,肝脏切除时如处理不慎将引起大出血甚至危及生命安全,故尽量降低、避免对肝脏组织及血管的破坏是手术成功与否的关键。随着1944年法国的Raoul Palmerjiang将腹     

Assessment of safety in hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma focusing on indirect hyperbilirubinemia

Background/purpose

The indications for hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with total bilirubin (T-Bil) equal to or higher than 1.2 mg/dl remain controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of hepatic resection for HCC patients who showed high T-Bil (≥1.2 mg/dl) with low direct bilirubin (D-Bil ≤ 0.5 mg/dl).

Methods

Thirty-four HCC patients showing high T-Bil with low D-Bil were treated with mono- to tri-segmentectomy between January 2000 and December 2010. The perioperative clinical parameters and prognosis of the high T-Bil/low D-Bil patients were compared with those of 253 HCC patients showing normal T-Bil. In addition, complication rates of the patients with high T-Bil/high D-Bil (n = 4) were analyzed.

Results

The prothrombin time activity, indocyanine green clearance test, asialo-scintigraphy, and platelet count were similar in the two groups. The mean serum albumin in high T-Bil/low D-Bil patients was significantly higher than that of normal T-Bil patients (4.2 ± 0.5 vs. 4.0 ± 0.4 g/dl, P = 0.004). There were no significant differences in operation time, intraoperative bleeding, red cell concentrate transfusion rate, postoperative complication rate, and disease-free and overall survivals between the two groups. Postoperative hyperbilirubinemia (T-Bil >5 mg/dl) with ascites was observed in one of four high T-Bil/high D-Bil patients (25 %).

Conclusions

Mono- to tri-segmentectomy can be performed in patients with low D-Bil (≤0.5 mg/dl) similarly to patients with low T-Bil (<1.2 mg/dl), even in HCC patients showing high T-Bil (≥1.2 mg/dl).     

Perioperative change in white blood cell count predicts outcome of hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

In spite of improvements in surgical management, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still recurs after operation in 60–70% of patients. Therefore, we investigated the relation between perioperative change in white blood cell count (WBC) and tumor recurrence as well as survival in patients with HCC after hepatic resection.

Methods

Subjects were 53 patients who underwent elective hepatic resection for HCC. We retrospectively examined the relation between perioperative change in WBC and recurrence of HCC as well as overall survival.

Results

Advanced tumor stage and increasing of WBC on postoperative day (POD) 1 were positively associated with worse disease-free survival rate on both univariate and multivariate analysis (P < 0.05). Advanced tumor stage, increasing of WBC on POD 1, and blood transfusion were positively associated with worse overall survival rate on univariate analysis (P < 0.05), while change in WBC was the only independent factor on multivariate analysis (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Perioperative change in WBC after elective hepatic resection for HCC is positively associated with recurrence and worse survival.     

完全腹腔镜与开腹肝切除术治疗左外叶肝细胞癌的效果比较

目的探索完全腹腔镜肝切除治疗左外叶肝细胞癌(HCC)的安全性、可行性和有效性。方法选取2012年4月~(-2)015年4月攀枝花市中心医院收治的经术后病理证实为左外叶HCC且行完全腹腔镜左肝外叶切除术(LLLR)的患者25例与同时期的另外25例行开腹左肝外叶切除(OLLR)的HCC患者进行病例配对分析。计量资料2组间比较采用t检验,计数资料2组间比较采用χ~2检验或Fisher确切概率法,生存分析采用Kaplan-Meier法,生存曲线的比较采用log-rank检验。结果 LLLR组与OLLR组在手术时间、术中输血例数、R0切缘例数方面比较差异均无统计学意义(P值均0.05),但在术中出血量[(216.40±15.39)d vs(273.20±16.65)d]、平均住院时间[(6.92±0.28)d vs(10.32±0.52)d]和手术并发症发生率(20%vs 48%)方面差异有统计学意义(P值均0.05)。LLLR组与OLLR组在1、3年总体生存率和无进展生存率方面比较差异均无统计学意义(P值均0.05)。结论 LLLR与OLLR治疗左外叶HCC相比,不仅远期效果相似,而且在手术出血量、手术并发症、住院时间等方面更具优势。     

International experience for laparoscopic major liver resection

Although minor laparoscopic liver resections (LLRs) appear as standardized procedures, major LLRs are still limited to few expert teams. The aim of this study was to report the combined data of 18 international centers performing major LLR. Variables evaluated were number and type of LLR, surgical indications, number of synchronous colorectal resections, details on technical points, conversion rates, operative time, blood loss and surgical margins. From 1996 to 2014, a total of 5388 LLR were carried out including 1184 major LLRs. The most frequent indication for laparoscopic right hepatectomy (LRH) was colorectal liver metastases (37.0%). Seven centers used hand assistance or hybrid approach selectively for LRH mostly at the beginning of their experience. Seven centers apply Pringle's maneuver routinely. The conversion rate for all major LLRs was 10% and mean operative time was 291 min. Mean estimated blood loss for all major LLR was 327 ml and negative surgical margin rate was 96.5%. Major LLRs still remain challenging procedures requiring important experience in both laparoscopy and liver surgery. Stimulating the younger generation to learn and accomplish these techniques is the better way to guarantee further development of this surgical field.     

腹腔镜肝切除术与开腹肝切除术治疗肝硬化肝细胞癌患者的效果比较

目的探讨肝硬化肝细胞癌患者行腹腔镜肝切除术与开腹肝切除术的临床疗效比较。方法收集2006年1月-2007年12月于临夏市人民医院确诊为肝硬化肝细胞癌的患者136例,分别行腹腔镜肝切除术(LLR组,64例)和开腹肝切除术(OLR组,72例),分析2组患者的近期疗效、病理因素及远期疗效。计量资料组间比较采用t检验,计数资料组间比较采用χ2检验,生存函数的比较采用log-rank进行检验。结果与OLR组患者相比,LLR组在手术时间[(86.43±23.55)min vs(62.31±19.61)min]、术后住院时间[(7.22±3.45)d vs(12.27±5.31)d]方面差异有统计学意义(t值分别为8.539、2.764,P值分别为0.001、0.024),而在患者术中出血量、肝门阻断时间、总病死率方面差异均无统计学意义(P值均0.05)。2组患者的肿瘤数目、有无肝硬化、有无微血管侵犯、有无肝包膜侵犯、切缘范围、最大肿瘤直径等差异亦无统计学意义(P值均0.05)。远期疗效方面LLR组患者1、3、5年无疾病生存率分别为83.30%、48.61%、38.29%,OLR组分别为78.64%、51.26%、43.01%;LLR组患者1、3、5年总生存率分别为97.42%、95.13%、89.23%,OLR组分别为96.41%、94.28%、90.06%,2组比较差异均无统计学意义(P值均0.05)。结论腹腔镜肝切除术治疗肝硬化肝细胞癌患者术后恢复快,且与开腹肝切除术相比远期疗效相当,适合在临床推广及应用。     

Feasibility and validity of hepatic vein reconstruction in hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma

The majority of hepatocellular carcinomas are complicated by liver cirrhosis. Cirrhotic patients with a tumor located in segments 7 and 8 cannot tolerate right lobectomy. To perform curative resection without causing liver failure in such patients, resection of segments 7 and 8, together with resection of the right hepatic vein, is recommended. Nine patients underwent such resection. In four patients, the right hepatic vein was not reconstructed. One patient died of liver failure and the other two patients had postoperative liver dysfunction. Based on this experience, the right hepatic vein was reconstructed in the remaining five patients; the defect was repaired by transplanting a vein graft in three patients, and a patch graft was carried out in two. In one patient who underwent reconstruction with vein graft, veno-venous bypass was performed between the remnant hepatic vein and inferior vena cava. This procedure decompressed the remnant liver and facilitated secure anastomosis in reconstruction of the hepatic vein. There were no complications or deaths. The reconstructed veins were patent 2–3 years postoperatively. This procedure is feasible and valid, and should be widely practiced in patients with a diminished liver function reserve.     

Standardization of basic skills for laparoscopic liver surgery towards laparoscopic donor hepatectomy

Introduction

We have accumulated over 170 patients since 1995 who underwent laparoscopic partial liver resection, laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy, and laparoscopy-assisted hepatectomy. Bleeding control, which is a basic element of liver resection, needs to be better managed by methods suitable for safer laparoscopic liver resection. The aim of this study was to standardize the basic skills and to establish safer techniques for laparoscopic liver surgery in order to perform safe laparoscopic donor hepatectomy.

Materials and methods

We analyzed initial results from the viewpoint of operative techniques of laparoscopic liver resection in our series. Laparoscopic liver resections have been successfully performed by the application of automatic suturing devices and the radiofrequency method.

Results

We have performed 105 laparoscopic partial liver resections, 26 laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomies, and 45 laparoscopy-assisted major hepatectomies. A total of 176 patients underwent minimally invasive liver resections.

Conclusion

For safer laparoscopic liver resection, efficient bleeding control techniques, such as radiofrequency pre-coagulation and the liver hanging maneuver, are needed during parenchymal transection of the liver. Laparoscopy-assisted donor hepatectomy can be safely performed without increasing operative risks with mini-laparotomy.     

Left-hand-assisted laparoscopic resection of hepatocellular carcinoma in an accessory liver

We report a left‐hand‐assisted laparoscopic resection of hepatocellular carcinoma that developed in an accessory liver in a 47‐year‐old man. Preoperative assessment of the location of the tumor and the feeder vessels by combined selective angiography and computed tomography studies predicted the feasibility of laparoscopic procedures for complete removal of the tumor. In an attempt to avoid direct contact of the tumor capsule with rigid instruments during the operation, left‐hand‐assisted procedures were attempted. The encapsulated mass, 6 × 5 × 3 cm in size, was located on the posterior side of the left diaphragm, and a thin stalk between the tumor and the margin of the left lateral segment of the liver proper was recognized. Hand‐assisted procedures ensured the complete mobilization of the lesion with an adequate margin, without any unexpected capsular tear. Left‐hand‐assisted laparoscopic procedures would be feasible for the easy and safe resection of localized hepatocellular carcinoma developing in an accessory liver.