Laparoscopic management of benign liver disease

Minimally invasive techniques may be used for treating a variety of benign hepatic lesions in selected patients. The size of the lesions is less important than the anatomic location in anterolateral regions. Laparoscopic unroofing of solitary liver cysts is the surgery of choice for this indication. The laparoscopic management of patients with PLD should be reserved for patients with a few, large, anteriorly located, symptomatic cysts. Active hydatid cysts present technical difficulties because of their complex biliovascular connections and the inherent nature of the parasite. The authors' results do not support the widespread use of laparoscopy in these cases. Uncomplicated benign liver tumors located in the left lobe or in the anterior segments of the right lobe can be resected safely using a four-hand technique. Open surgery is the treatment of choice when primary tumors are malignant, located posteriorly, or in proximity to major hepatic vasculature. Laparoscopic resection of liver metastases with a safety margin of 1 cm, when the total number is less than four, is not unreasonable and can be offered to patients without evidence of extrahepatic disease.     

Laparoscopy in the staging of cancer of the stomach]

Prognosis of gastric carcinoma is closely related to extension. Laparoscopic staging of digestive cancers is proposed to evaluate the regional cancer spreading (TNM). The aim of this procedure is to avoid unnecessary laparotomy, and to reduce mortality and morbidity of these procedures. Laparoscopic staging can also make easier the selection of patients of preoperative treatment. In most of the series about laparoscopic staging, efficacy of the usual staging tools (computed tomography, ultrasonography, endoscopic ultrasonography) is weak and before operation 20 to 30% of the metastases, particularly peritoneal and hepatic, are missed. Laparoscopic staging is technically easy: no more than 3 trocars are necessary, laparoscopic ultrasonography may be performed during the same procedure, as well as peritoneal cytology. Feasibility is about 100%. Usual contraindications of the laparoscopy are contraindications of laparoscopic staging. The main difficulty is its utility. Staging of advanced lesions remains the best indication of laparoscopic staging in gastric cancer. Metastatic spread, particularly to the peritoneum, and resectability may be evaluated with sensitivity and specificity close to 90%. Morbidity (1 to 3%) is usually low and mainly represented by wound complications.     

腹腔镜技术在转移性肝癌治疗中的作用与评价

腹腔镜技术在转移性肝癌治疗的应用已取得较大进展,主要体现在腹腔镜探查提高了术前诊断的准确度并有助于个性化治疗方案的制定,娴熟的腹腔镜手术切除技术提高了手术切除率和术后存活率。腹腔镜技术的应用为转移性肝癌的综合治疗提供了有效而微创的选择。     

Laparoscopic treatment of solid and cystic tumors of the liver. Study of 33 cases

AIM OF THE STUDY: Laparoscopic liver surgery is still in its early stages. The aim of this study was to report our experience in the laparoscopic management of solid and cystic liver tumours. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From April 1991 to December 1999, 32 patients with various lesions of the liver underwent laparoscopic liver surgery. One group of patients presented with cysts (n = 15) (11 giant solitary cysts and 4 polycystic liver diseases) and one group of patients presented with solid tumours (n = 18): focal nodular hyperplasia (n = 8), haemangioma (n = 6), adenoma (n = 2), isolated metastasis from a colonic cancer (n = 1) and hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 1). Fifteen cyst fenestrations and eighteen liver resections were performed via a laparoscopic approach including 1 right lobectomy, 5 left lateral segmentectomies, 2 subsegmentectomies IVb, 1 segmentectomy III and 9 non-anatomical resections. RESULTS: Conversion to laparotomy was performed in one case (3%) at the end of the operation (patient who had successfully undergone left lateral segmentectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma) to check the resection margins and surgical transection had been performed in healthy parenchyma. Mean diameter of solid tumours was 6.5 cm and 15.7 cm for solitary cysts. The mean operating time for hepatic resections was 232 minutes. There was no postoperative mortality. Complications occurred in one case for each group and consisted in intestinal stricture through a port site requiring intestinal resection. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 5.6 days for solid tumours and 7.5 days for cystic lesions. In the group of cystic lesions, the recurrence rate was 50% with a 5.5-months follow-up. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic liver surgery can be safely performed, but requires a good experience in open hepatic surgery and laparoscopic surgery. The laparoscopic approach is indicated in patients with symptomatic or atypical benign solid tumour, giant solitary cyst and polycystic liver disease, located anteriorly on the liver. Indications for malignant lesions have not been clearly defined and require further information.     

Laparoscopic hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery: an overview

Although they are not widely employed, advanced laparoscopic hepatobiliary pancreatic (HBP) procedures can be performed. Laparoscopic common bile duct (CBD) exploration has gained wide acceptance, and endoscopic retro-grade cholangiopancreatography/endoscopic sphincterotomy (ERCP/ES) may become less important in the treatment of CBD stones. Choledochal cyst is another example that is suitable for laparoscopic treatment. It can be removed, and bilioenteric flow is reestablished laparoscopically. Simple cyst of the liver is an excellent indication for laparoscopic surgery. Cysts are unroofed, and recurrence is rare. Hydatid disease can also be treated laparoscopically. In liver resection, the use of laparoscopy is limited to wedge resection and left lateral segmentectomy at most. Laparoscopic staging for pancreatic cancer can demonstrate respectability in 90% of cases. This staging may obviate unnecessary laparotomy. Although laparoscopic Whipple is feasible, laparoscoic distal pancreatectomy is a realistic indication for pancreatic resection. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy may be indicated for cystic neoplasms of low-grade malignancy, and for islet cell tumors. When internal drainage is indicated, pseudocysts can be treated laparoscopically. If the cyst is located close to the posterior gastric wall, cystgastrostomy can also be achieved with an endoluminal surgical technique. Received: March 25, 2002 / Accepted: April 14, 2002 Offprint requests to: T. Mori     

Laparoscopic treatment of hydatid cyst of the liver: a case report.

Laparoscopic surgery may be used for treating a variety of benign hepatic lesions in select patients. The anatomic location of the lesions are more important than any other peculiarity when laparoscopic management is used. The aim of this report is to discuss the effects and feasibility of laparoscopic treatment of hydatid cyst of liver. The procedure is feasible and safe, offering all the advantages of laparoscopic surgery.     

Technique and value of staging laparoscopy

Despite significant improvements in preoperative tumor staging due to sophisticated new imaging and interventional techniques, peritoneal tumor spread and occult liver and lymph node metastases are only detected during surgery in some patients. Newer treatment modalities using neoadjuvant regimens are only given if occult tumor spread is excluded. Diagnostic laparoscopy has therefore been introduced to prevent patients with advanced tumor disease from unnecessary laparotomy and as a diagnostic tool in neoadjuvant treatment protocols. Laparoscopic ultrasound represents an important technical improvement in diagnostic laparoscopy. The main indication for diagnostic laparoscopy is therefore exact tumor staging, especially in terms of peritoneal, liver, and lymphatic tumor spread, whereas determination of local tumor resectability is not the main issue. The aim of the current review is to summarize the technique of staging laparoscopy and to discuss its clinical value for a variety of gastrointestinal malignancies.     

The role of staging laparoscopy for multimodal therapy of gastrointestinal cancer

Background: This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy and the therapeutic relevance of staging laparoscopy. Methods: Between June 1993 and February 1997 staging laparoscopy was performed in 389 patients with various neoplasms. Additionally, 144 selected patients of this group were examined with laparoscopic ultrasound using a semiflexible ultrasound probe (7.5 MHz). Results: Compared to conventional imaging methods, laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasound improved the accuracy of staging in 158 of 389 patients (41%). Statistical subgroup analysis of 131 patients with gastric cancer showed that the accuracy of staging laparoscopy in the detection of distant metastases (68%) was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than that of ultrasound (63%) or computed tomography (58%). In the whole group, laparoscopy alone disclosed intraabdominal tumor dissemination or nonresectable disease in 111 patients. Laparoscopic ultrasound displayed additional metastases—i.e., liver metastases (n = 9), M1 lymph nodes (n = 15), or nonresectable tumors (n = 6) in 30 patients. Although metastastic disease was suggested by preoperative imaging, benign lesions were found in five patients with laparoscopy and in a further 12 patients with ultrasonography. The findings of staging laparoscopy changed the treatment strategy in 45% of the patients. Conversion to open surgery was necessary in 5% of the cases, and complications related to laparoscopy occured in 4% of the patients. Conclusions: Laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasound improves the staging of gastrointestinal tumors and has a significant impact on a stage-adapted surgical therapy. Received: 3 April 1997/Accepted: 26 September 1997     

Carcinoma of the pancreatic head and periampullary region. Tumor staging with laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasonography.

OBJECTIVE: The authors performed a prospective evaluation of staging laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasonography in predicting surgical resectability in patients with carcinomas of the pancreatic head and periampullary region. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Pancreatic resection with curative intent is possible in a select minority of patients who have carcinomas of the pancreatic head and periampullary region. Patient selection is important to plan appropriate therapy and avoid unnecessary laparotomy in patients with unresectable disease. Laparoscopic ultrasonography is a novel technique that combines the proven benefits of staging laparoscopy with high resolution intraoperative ultrasound of the liver and pancreas, but which has yet to be evaluated critically in the staging of pancreatic malignancy. METHODS: A cohort of 40 consecutive patients referred to a tertiary referral center and with a diagnosis of potentially resectable pancreatic or periampullary cancer underwent staging laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasonography. The diagnostic accuracy of staging laparoscopy alone and in conjunction with laparoscopic ultrasonography was evaluated in predicting tumor resectability (absence of peritoneal or liver metastases; absence of malignant regional lymphadenopathy; tumor confined to pancreatic head or periampullary region). RESULTS: "Occult" metastatic lesions were demonstrated by staging laparoscopy in 14 patients (35%). Laparoscopic ultrasonography demonstrated factors confirming unresectable tumor in 23 patients (59%), provided staging information in addition to that of laparoscopy alone in 20 patients (53%), and changed the decision regarding tumor resectability in 10 patients (25%). Staging laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasonography was more specific and accurate in predicting tumor resectability than laparoscopy alone (88% and 89% versus 50% and 65%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Staging laparoscopy is indispensable in the detection of "occult" intra-abdominal metastases. Laparoscopic ultrasonography improves the accuracy of laparoscopic staging in patients with potentially resectable pancreatic and periampullary carcinomas.     

微创外科时代胰腺囊性肿瘤的诊断和治疗

胰腺囊性肿瘤占胰腺囊性疾病的10%～15%,随着影像诊断技术的普及和医疗水平的发展,其检出率不断增加。它多为良性或低度恶性肿瘤,存在恶变可能,需要手术切除,且适合微创手术。当然,胰腺手术并发症率高,仍然是高风险手术,其早期精确的诊断对决定合理的治疗至关重要。对于大多数胰腺囊性肿瘤,胰腺增强CT,必要时结合MRCP或MRI,足以做出诊断。超声内镜检查+穿刺抽液有助于确定诊断和手术时机。手术方式的选择取主要取决于囊性肿瘤的性质及位置。     

Minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of gastric cancer

Unlike benign pathology, progress of laparoscopy in performing cancer surgery has been slow because of fear of safety and oncological adequacy. However, the initial fear has been replaced by optimism as the results from a numerous studies have shown equivalent if not superior results to open surgery. Laparoscopic gastrectomy is safe and oncologic adequate, but time consuming and technically demanding procedure. Laparoscopic surgery has gained wide acceptance in the treatment of early gastric cancer, especially of the distal stomach. The use of laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer remains controversial. Another open question that need complete evaluation is cost-effectiveness analysis of minimally invasive and open approach.     

Laparoscopic staging in gallbladder cancer

PURPOSE: Laparoscopy is beneficial in the staging of pancreatic and upper gastrointestinal malignancies but its role in gallbladder cancer has not been investigated. We evaluated the role of laparoscopy in the staging of gallbladder cancer. Methods: From 1989 through 2001, 91 patients with gallbladder cancer, without any evidence of metastatic disease on imaging (ultrasound and/or computed tomographic scan), underwent staging laparoscopy. Peritoneal and surface liver metastases were looked for and assessment of local spread was done if possible. Assessment was based on visual impression and biopsies were not obtained routinely. RESULTS: At laparoscopy, 34 (37%) patients had disseminated disease in the form of liver and/or peritoneal deposits; no further surgery was performed in 29 of these patients while 5 patients underwent surgical bypass procedures. Liver metastases were missed at laparoscopy in 2 patients and were subsequently found at laparotomy. Assessment of the gallbladder mass was possible in 33 (36%) patients, 6 of these were found to have extensive local disease and did not undergo any further surgery. Laparoscopic staging, thus avoided further surgery in 35 (38%) patients. Of the 51 patients without metastatic disease, who underwent laparotomy, 11 were found to have nonresectable locally advanced disease while 1 had liver metastases, which were missed at laparoscopy; 7 underwent bypass procedures only; 21 underwent simple cholecystectomy and extended cholecystectomy was done in 11 patients. The resectability rate (number of resections/operations) in patients undergoing laparoscopic staging was 57% (32/56) as compared with 43% (142/328) in those who did not undergo laparoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Staging laparoscopy in patients with gallbladder cancer detected liver and peritoneal metastases that were missed on imaging. It reduced the number of unnecessary surgical explorations and improved the resectability rate.     

腹腔镜手术治疗胰腺肿瘤的现状

Laparoscopic pancreatic surgery represents one of the most advanced applications for laparoscopic surgery currently in use.In the past,minimally invasive techniques in pancreatic surgery were only used for diagnostic laparoscopy,staging of pancreatic cancer and palliative procedures for unresectable pancreatic cancer.A growing number of case series and multi-institutional reports on safety and efficacy of minimally invasive pancreatic resection have been published.Current knowledge on minimally invasive pancreatic resection is based mainly on short-term outcomes from a small number of centers with cohorts too small to make strong arguments for or against its use.In carefully selected patients,minimally invasive pancreatic resection is safe and feasible.However,the procedure should only be attempted by surgeons who are experienced in open pancreatic surgery and in laparoscopic surgery.The role and oncologic safety of minimally invasive approach for pancreatic resection for pancreatic cancer remain unknown.     

Technical considerations in laparoscopic liver surgery

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic solid organ surgery has gained growing acceptance, but this does not hold for laparoscopic surgery of the liver. Laparoscopic liver surgery mainly comprizes diagnostic procedures and treatment of liver cysts. However, we believe there is room for a laparoscopic approach to the liver in selected cases, with the benefits that may be expected from laparoscopic solid organ surgery. METHODS: Between 1993 and 2000, 10 patients with various lesions of the liver underwent laparoscopic surgery. Indications consisted of cystic disease (n = 2), hemangioma (n = 2), focal nodular hyperplasia (n = 2), liver abcess (n = 1), and liver metastasis (n = 3). Laparoscopic treatment varied from fenestration (n = 3) to wedge resections (n = 5), and formal left lateral hepatectomy (n = 2). RESULTS: The mean patient age was 54 years (range, 34-71 years). The mean operative time, including laparoscopic ultrasonography, measured 180 min (range, 80-240 min). Peroperative blood loss ranged from 200 to 450 ml. There was no mortality. In two patients, conversion to laparotomy was necessary. There were no postoperative complications. The mean hospital stay was 6 days (range, 4-11 days). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic treatment should be considered in selected patients with benign and malignant lesions in the left lobe or frontal segments of the liver.     

Laparoscopic resection of posterior gastric leiomyoma

Laparoscopic gastric surgery is gaining momentum, especially in the treatment of benign disease. Simultaneous endoscopy and laparoscopy allow precise localization of lesions. Because of the stomach's size, mobility, and distensibility, relatively large lesions can be safely excised. Wedge resection for anterior lesions and a transgastric or intragastric approach for posterior lesions are feasible laparoscopically. Two cases of posterior gastric leiomyomas successfully resected laparoscopically are presented. The use of stapling devices greatly facilitates this procedure. Received: 17 February 1995/Accepted: 7 September 1995     

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??Effect and evaluation of laparoscopic technique in the treatment of metastatic liver cancer CAI Xiu-jun, LIANG Xiao. Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University; Minimal Invasive Surgery Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China
Corresponding author ??CAI Xiu-jun??E-mail??cxjzu@hotmail.com
Abstract Laparoscopic techniques applied in the treatment of metastatic liver cancer has made great progress, mainly as: staging laparoscopy improves the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis and is helpful to develop individualized and comprehensive plans; advanced laparoscopic surgical techniques increase the resection rate and postoperative survival rate. Laparoscopic techniques provide effective and minimally invasive choices.     

Superior staging of liver tumors with laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE. The authors describe the technique of staging laparoscopy with laparoscopic contact ultrasonography in the preoperative assessment of patients with liver tumors, and assess its impact on the selection of patients for hepatic resection with curative intent. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA. Laparoscopy may be useful in the selection of patients with a variety of intra-abdominal malignancies for operative intervention. Laparoscopic ultrasonography is a new technique that combines the principles of high resolution intraoperative contact ultrasound with those of the laparoscopic examination, and thus, allows the laparoscopist to perform detailed assessment of the liver. METHODS. This study analyzes a cohort of 50 consecutive patients who were diagnosed as having potentially resectable liver tumors, and in whom staging laparoscopy was successfully undertaken. Laparoscopic ultrasonography was performed in 43 patients, and the impact of the ensuing findings on the decision to proceed to operative assessment of resectability is examined. The resectability rate in those patients assessed laparoscopically and subsequently submitted to laparotomy is compared with a preceding group of patients in whom no laparoscopic assessment was performed. RESULTS. Laparoscopy demonstrated factors precluding curative resection in 23 patients (46%). Laparoscopic ultrasonography identified liver tumors not visible during laparoscopy in 14 patients (33%), and provided staging information in addition to that derived from laparoscopy alone in 18/43 patients (42%). The resectability rate was significantly higher among those patients undergoing laparoscopic staging (93%) compared with those in whom operative assessment was undertaken without laparoscopy (58%). CONCLUSIONS. Staging laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasonography optimizes patient selection for liver resection with curative intent.     

Role of laparoscopy in hepatic cyst surgery

BACKGROUND: Hepatic cysts are detected incidentally in 2.5-5% of the population. Only about 15% of such cysts are symptomatic. Since laparoscopic deroofing for liver cysts was first described in 1991 there have been a number of reports of successful laparoscopic management of hepatic cysts, including the laparoscopic management of complex and parasitic cysts. METHODS: A systematic review of English-language articles on the subject appearing in journals through May 2002 was conducted using the Medline database. RESULTS: Only a minority of cystic liver lesions need treatment, and the therapeutic approach is guided by the type of cyst. Laparoscopic deroofing (combined with omentoplasty and/or oversewing) of uncomplicated liver cysts is associated with a recurrence rate of 10-25%, with less morbidity and mortality as compared to open surgery. On the other hand, treatment of complex liver cysts and hydatid cysts by laparoscopy is not considered a standard approach. CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic approach in uncomplicated but symptomatic liver cysts is effective, with low morbidity and mortality. Additional omentoplasty or oversewing appears to reduce the recurrence rate.     

Ultrasonographic laparoscopy of the liver

SITUATION: In spite of recent progress in medical imagery, the findings of preoperative investigations of the liver are not always accurate and precise. Since the development of surgical laparoscopy, advantages of the laparoscopic examination are associated with advantages of laparoscopic ultrasonography. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work is to report the technique of staging laparoscopy with laparoscopic contact ultrasonography in the intraoperative assessment of patients with liver tumors, and to analyse its impact on the selection of patients for hepatic resection with curative intent. METHODS: The basic exploration follows at first portal branches and then hepatic veins. During the course of vascular exploration, the corresponding liver parenchyma is examined. A mobilization of the probe with clockwise or anticlockwise rotation movements allows full exploration of the liver. RESULTS: The association of laparoscopic examination and laparoscopic ultrasonography allows to localize with accuracy malignant and benign lesions and to perform ultrasound guided biopsy. Liver tumors not visible on preoperative imagery may be identified, relationships with adjacent vessels and presence of tumoral thrombi in major vascular structures may be assessed. Resectability of the liver tumors is at the best specified. CONCLUSION: Staging laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasonography improves selection of patients for liver resection and facilitates choice and performance of the most appropriate resection.     

The value of laparoscopic staging for patients with colorectal metastases

BACKGROUND: Resection offers the only chance of cure for hepatic colorectal metastases. However, preoperative staging does not always reliably detect unresectable disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the role that laparoscopy with ultrasound may have in detecting unresectable disease, thus sparing patients from unnecessary laparotomy with the associated morbidity and cost. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients considered for liver resection of colorectal metastases during a 3-year period was performed, analyzing factors likely to predict resectable disease, rates of resectability, and success of laparoscopic staging at detecting unresectable disease. RESULTS: Of 73 patients with resectable disease on computed tomography, 24 were deemed to need laparoscopy, and 49 proceeded directly to laparotomy. Those first undergoing laparoscopy had shorter disease-free intervals between diagnosis of colorectal cancer and detection of hepatic recurrence and greater numbers of hepatic metastases. Twelve of the 24 patients who underwent laparoscopy had unresectable disease, and 8 of these were detected at laparoscopy. Forty-six of the 49 patients proceeding to laparotomy directly had resectable disease. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic staging of hepatic colorectal metastatic disease detects most unresectable disease, preventing unnecessary laparotomy. The likelihood of disease being unresectable is in part predicted by the disease-free interval and the number of hepatic metastases.