Right hepatectomy combined with retrohepatic caval resection,using a left renal vein patch graft for advanced cholangiocarcinoma

Combined resection of the inferior vena cava for hepatobiliary malignancies remains a technical challenge. We successfully resected an intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma involving the retrohepatic vena cava, and reconstructed the caval defect using a left renal vein patch graft. The patient was a 79-year-old man. Preoperative ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed that the tumor was located in the right lobe of the liver and was about 6?cm in diameter. Arteriogram revealed encasement of the right arterial and portal branches. Magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed that the tumor involved the retrohepatic vena cava. The patient underwent a right hepatectomy combined with resection of the retrohepatic vena cava. The resected portion of the caval wall was 3.6?cm long and 2.7?cm wide. The caval defect was reconstructed using a left renal vein patch graft of a rhomboid shape, which was made by oblique incision of the vein graft. The postoperative course was uneventful. Postoperative cavogram showed adequate patency of the reconstructed retrohepatic vena cava. The patient was disease-free 22 months after surgery. In conclusion, major liver resection combined with caval resection and reconstruction can be performed safely. Furthermore, a left renal vein graft can provide a flexible patch according to the form and size of the caval defect.     

Treatment of colorectal liver metastasis with biliary and portal vein tumor thrombi by hepatopancreatoduodenectomy

We present a case of a large colorectal liver metastasis with portal vein and biliary tumor thrombi and duodenal and jejunal direct invasion that required hepatopancreatoduodenectomy. A 38-year-old woman presented to her local hospital with right back pain and jaundice. She had undergone transverse colectomy and limited liver resection for transverse colon cancer with a synchronous liver metastasis in September 1991, and low anterior resection for rectal carcinoma in January 1996. She was diagnosed as having colorectal liver metastasis and was referred to our hospital for possible surgery. Radiologic and endoscopic examinations revealed a large liver tumor occupying the right lobe, biliary dilation in the left lateral section, and a portal vein tumor thrombus. Invasion of the inferior vena cava and the right renal vein were also suspected. Intraoperative findings revealed a large liver tumor that occupied the right lobe and invaded the duodenum and jejunum. The tumor was resected successfully by right trisectionectomy, caudate lobectomy, pancreatoduodenectomy, partial resection of the jejunum, and combined portal vein resection and reconstruction. The inferior vena cava, right kidney, and renal vein could be detached from the tumor. The patient has enjoyed an active life without recurrence for 2 years since the operation.     

Aggressive surgical resection for hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus extending to inferior vena cava and synchronous pulmonary metastasis

We describe a 66-year-old man having hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus extending into the inferior vena cava and synchronous pulmonary metastasis. He was referred to Chiba University Hospital on May, 2000, complaining of emaciation. Radiological findings showed a huge hepatocellular carcinoma in the entire right lobe and tumor thrombus extended into the intrapericardial inferior vena cava. He also had a solitary pulmonary metastasis in the left pulmonary lobe (stage IVB). Right hemihepatomy was performed under total hepatic vascular exclusion without cardiopulmonary bypass, and tumor thrombus was completely removed. Thoracoscopic wedge resection of pulmonary metastasis was also performed. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course. Histopathological examination revealed that the tumor was moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma The patient is still alive after 26 months with pulmonary recurrence, but without hepatic recurrence. To our knowledge, there has been no reported case of resection for both hepatocellular carcinoma invading the inferior vena cava and synchronous pulmonary metastasis. In conclusion, aggressive surgical resection for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma concomitant with pulmonary resection may bring about better prognosis in highly selected patients.     

Nine-Year survivor after resection of cholangiocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombi in the main portal trunk

We report a patient with cholangiocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombi in the main portal trunk who has survived for 9.5 years after hepatic resection. A 57-year-old woman underwent an extended left lobectomy, and resection of the caudate lobe plus the main portal trunk for a liver tumor that had a portal tumor thrombus in the main portal trunk. The portal vein was reconstructed with an autologous vein graft obtained from the external iliac vein. Histological examination of the resected specimen revealed moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma compatible with cholangiocellular carcinoma. Factors contributing to the patient's long-term survival are discussed. Aggressive surgical resection can be effective even for such an advanced case of cholangiocellular carcinoma. Received Dec. 9, 1997; accepted Mar. 27, 1998     

Aortic and vena caval reconstruction with retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for metastatic germ cell tumor

A 49-year-old man who had a huge testicular tumor with retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis and bilateral multiple pulmonary metastases was referred to our hospital. Firstly orchiectomy was done obtaining the pathological diagnosis of mixed type germ cell tumor. After cisplatin-based chemotherapy, he underwent resection of the retroperitoneal lymph node involving the abdominal aorta and the inferior vena cava. Both great vessels were resected with the tumor and reconstructed with prosthetic grafts. Two months after the laparotomy, 12 metastatic nodules in the left lung were resected. Seven months later, he furthermore underwent resection of 4 metastatic nodules in the right lung. Microscopically, all resected metastatic tumors were diagnosed to be mature teratoma without viable malignant cells. The patient remains well 30 months after the first operation. Follow-up CT scan demonstrates patency of aortic and vena caval bypass grafts without local recurrence or distant metastasis.     

Clinical features and imaging diagnosis of biliary cystadenocarcinoma of the liver

Biliary cystadenocarcinoma of the liver is a relatively rare disease. Herein, we reported a case of biliary cystadenocarcinoma with a review of the literature. A 71-year-old female was admitted with the chief complaint of epigastralgia. The imaging studies revealed a biliary cystadenocarcinoma in the left hepatic lobe with suspicion of direct invasion to the left and middle hepatic veins and inferior vena cava. However, there was no direct invasion of the tumor to these veins in operation findings, and an extended left hepatic resection was performed without resection of inferior vena cava. The tumor was histologically diagnosed as biliary cystadenocarcinoma of the liver. Diagnosis of biliary cystadenocarcinoma is usually difficult preoperatively, however, a diagnosis was possible with the use of imaging studies. It was suggested that this tumor originated from a benign cystadenoma because of the existence of a transitional zone between normal cells and atypical cells in the cystic wall. Systematic hepatectomy was recommended as the initial treatment in consideration of the features of cystadenocarcinoma.     

Aggressive surgical resection after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy for locally advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

The poor prognosis of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) or hilar cholangiocarcinoma is well known. Herein, we described the first reported case of severe locally advanced ICC in which radical surgery was successfully achieved based on the marked effect of neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (NCRT) using gemcitabine. A 54-year-old man was admitted to our institution with obstructive jaundice. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed a large low-density mass in the caudate lobe, extensively involving the inferior vena cava and main portal vein. Moreover, nodal involvements of the hepatoduodenal ligament were detected concurrently. We therefore regarded this tumor as a severe locally advanced ICC and attempted to initiate combined treatment with gemcitabine (800 mg/m² biweekly) and three-dimensional conformation radiation (45 Gy/25 days). After completion of NCRT, this patient underwent a left trisegmentectomy with combined resection of the portal vein and inferior vena cava. Postoperative microscopic findings surprisingly revealed that more than 90% of tumor cells had disappeared with extensive fibrosis, achieving tumor downstaging and tumor volume reduction which were related to the radical resection. In conclusion, ICC showed a favorable histological response to chemoradiation therapy using gemcitabine. Further studies are needed to conclusively assess the effect of NCRT on locally advanced ICC.     

Hepatic resection through an anterior approach employing a modified liver hanging maneuver in patients with a massive liver tumor severely oppressing the inferior vena cava

For a large hepatic neoplasm existing in the right hepatic lobe, hepatic resection using an anterior approach is required. We have reported an operative procedure for hepatic transection using absorbable polyglycolic acid tape. In patients with suspected tumor invasion of the inferior vena cava, on the other hand, considering the range of the residual tumor while sparing the inferior vena cava as much as possible, combined resection and reconstruction of the inferior vena cava is conducted only if operative curativity is expected. We conducted hepatic transection while maintaining the blood flow of the residual liver by applying the liver hanging maneuver method of Belghiti et al. and polyglycolic acid tape in patients with giant liver tumors of the right hepatic lobe compressing the hepatic inferior vena cava. Strong angled dissecting forceps were inserted into the ventral side of the inferior vena cava from the caudal side, and the tip was induced between hepatic veins. Two strips of polyglycolic acid tape were pinched with forceps and strongly ligated on the right and left sides of the cutoff line. Subsequently, hepatic transection was conducted using electrocautery spray coagulation and CUSA without blocking the inflow blood of the residual liver, and the right hepatic lobe was extirpated. This procedure has already been performed in 5 patients suspected of inferior vena cava invasion, and the inferior vena cava was able to be preserved in all the patients.     

The role of lymphatic drainage of the liver in gallbladder cancer: a case report.

We report a case of a patient with a unique lymph node relapse after right hepatectomy and aggressive lymph node dissection for gallbladder cancer. There was extensive involvement of the hepatic parenchyma from the primary tumor, but no extension to the lymph nodes or other adjacent organs. Seventeen months later, the patient underwent re-dissection of the retroperitoneal lymph nodes with right nephrectomy and partial resection of the vena cava because of lymph node recurrence at the hilum of the right kidney. This pattern of lymph node metastasis to the right side of the vena cava from gallbladder cancer invading the liver is probably due to the distinct lymphatic drainage of the liver.     

Extended right hepatic lobectomy with resection of inferior vena cava and portal vein for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

We report a case of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treated by extended right lobectomy and resection of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and portal vein. A 53-year-old man was referred with elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GTP) levels on April 23, 1999. He was not jaundiced and did not have any symptoms. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) revealed irregular strictures in both the anterior and posterior segmental ducts. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a low-density tumor with an unclear margin in the right lobe of the liver. The patient underwent extended right hepatic lobectomy and total caudate lobectomy. Partial resection of the IVC (6 cm) was performed under total hepatic vascular exclusion. The main portal trunk and left portal vein were resected and reconstructed with an end-to-end anastomosis. Macroscopically, a 5.0 × 5.0 × 4.5-cm periductal infiltrating-type tumor occupied the right hepatic parenchyma along the posterior and anterior segmental ducts. Histological examination revealed moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma with marked perineural invasion. Lymph node metastasis was observed in the hepatoduodenal ligament and posterior surface of the pancreatic head. The resected margins of the common bile duct and left hepatic duct were free of tumor. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged from hospital on the 28th postoperative day. Nine months after the operation, he suddenly developed obstructive jaundice, and died with recurrent disease. This is the first reported case of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treated with major hepatectomy and resection of the IVC and portal vein except ex situ procedure. This aggressive surgical approach may offer hope for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma involving the IVC.     

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the liver

We report on a 43-year-old man with a primary sarcoma of the liver. The patient was admitted to the hospital for evaluation of dyspnea, abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant, diarrhea, and fever. Physical examination revealed hepatomegaly. Increased laboratory values were found for gamma-GT, LDH, CA 125, and NSE, but not for aspartate and alanine aminotransferase. Computed tomography presented a tumor in the right lobe of the liver. Venous cavography revealed a caval tumor thrombus reaching up to the right atrium. Major liver resection combined with replacement of the vena cava inferior was proposed, but before operation the patient complained about shortness of breath. Spontaneous fragmentation of the tumor thrombus with consecutive embolization of the lungs was suspected. Despite lysis therapy the patient died because of right ventricular failure. Autopsy revealed a tumor measuring 8 cm in diameter, which was located in the right lobe of the liver and invaded the inferior vena cava. Because of multiple tumor aggregates seen in the left and right main pulmonary arteries acute tumor embolization of the lungs was regarded as cause of death. Histologically the tumor was composed of bizarre giant cells surrounded by irregular spindle cells. The positive immunoreactivity pattern of the tumor cells for vimentin, lysozym, and CD68 justified the diagnosis of a malignant fibrous histocytoma (MFH) of the liver.     

Long-term survival after extended surgical resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with extensive lymph node metastasis

We present a case of long-term survival in a patient that involved intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma that metastasized to the paraaortic lymph nodes. A 62-year-old man underwent extended left hepatic lobectomy with caudate lobe resection, extrahepatic bile duct resection, portal vein resection and reconstruction, and middle hepatic vein resection and reconstruction with lymph node dissection for a liver tumor that was located in the caudate lobe. Histological examination of the resected specimen revealed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma compatible with cholangiocarcinoma, and lymph node metastases were found in the area of the hepatoduodenal ligament and the paraaortic region. After surgical resection, recurrence was detected twice in the lymph nodes at the site of the left supraclavicular region. These recurrent tumors were completely eliminated by systemic chemotherapy with cisplatin or mitomycin C. The patient is now doing well 6 years and 5 months after surgical treatment. In this case, there was only one tumor, and the preoperative serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level was normal. In addition, heterozygosity was retained at the loci on chromosome 8p. These findings suggested that tumor in the present case was less aggressive, despite the nodal spread. The extensive surgical approach may have contributed to the long-term survival of this patient, while the recurrent tumor was sensitive to antitumoral agents.     

Inferior vena cavectomy for renal cell carcinoma with intracaval tumor thrombus

Excision of the inferior vena cava for renal cell carcinoma with intracaval tumor thrombus is infrequently performed. Herein the authors report a 60-year old woman with a right renal cell carcinoma and massive occluding tumor thrombus of the inferior vena cava. Following a negative metastatic workup, this patient underwent surgery to remove the tumor and thrombus. Thrombectomy occurred via excision of the affected portion of inferior vena cava and proximal left renal vein. Reconstruction of the vena cava was not undertaken. The patient did not suffer any morbidity during recovery in hospital. Her renal function was normal upon discharge. All resection margins were negative for tumor. This experience is compared to those reported in the literature. Postoperative morbidity may be minimized by careful patient selection. Suitable patients should have a right-sided tumor with an occlusive subhepatic vena caval tumor thrombus.     

Combined resection of the inferior vena cava for hepato-biliary and pancreatic malignancies

Seven cases of hepato-biliary and pancreatic malignancies that underwent partial resection of the inferior vena cava) were reviewed. Histological findings of inferior venca cava involvement were direct invasion in 5 cases, tumor thrombus in 1 case, and adhesion in 1 case. Correct preoperative diagnosis of inferior vena cava involvement was made in only 2 cases. A retrospective study on enhanced CT revealed that irregular deformity of the inferior vena cava had suggested inferior vena cava involvement. Total occlusion of the inferior vena cava was employed temporarily for inferior vena cava resection in 3 cases. A saphenous vein graft was used for reconstruction in 2 cases. Complications due to inferior vena cava resection are, as yet, unknown. One patient is alive, without recurrence, 24 months after the operation. One case underwent re-resection of liver metastasis, and is alive 17 months after the operation. Although advanced hepato-biliary and pancreatic malignancies involving inferior vena cava have been regarded as having a poor prognosis, an aggressive surgical approach may be applicable in some cases.     

Left hepatectomy or left trisectionectomy with resection of the caudate lobe and extrahepatic bile duct for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (with video)

Purpose

Although left-sided hepatectomy, such as a left hepatectomy or left trisectionectomy with resection of the caudate lobe and extrahepatic bile duct, is used to treat hilar cholangiocarcinoma predominantly involving the left side of the hepatic hilum, it is associated with several difficult technical points. The important points during left-sided hepatectomy are described here.

Techniques

There are anatomical variations of the sectional artery and bile duct. It is essential to understand the individual intrahepatic and hilar anatomy preoperatively. Surgical procedures consist of lymph node clearance, dissection of the distal bile duct, skeletonization resection of the hepatoduodenal ligament, mobilization of the liver and liver resection, dissection of the intrahepatic bile ducts, and biliary reconstruction. During lymph node dissection and skeletonization resection of the hepatoduodenal ligament, the nerve plexus around the hepatic artery is dissected, and its adventitia is exposed with great care to avoid injuring the hepatic artery. Mobilization of the caudate lobe is performed only from the left side. There is no clear landmark between the caudate lobe and the right posterior section during liver resection. In the final step of liver resection, it progresses toward the right edge of the inferior vena cava. When dividing intrahepatic bile ducts, extreme care should be used to avoid injury to the corresponding hepatic arteries, especially the anomalous supraportal posterior sectional artery.

Conclusions

Left-sided hepatectomy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma should be considered a more complicated and technically demanding procedure than right-sided hepatectomy. Surgeons need to pay close attention to anatomical variations in order to perform a left-sided hepatectomy safely and successfully.     

Management of adrenal metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma by asynchronous resection of bilateral adrenal glands

We report on a 65-year-old man who received asynchronous bilateral adrenalectomy for adrenal metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Fifteen months after curative resection of right hepatic lobe for hepatocellular carcinoma, a metastatic lesion of the left adrenal gland was detected and left adrenalectomy was performed. Ten months after the second operation, a metastatic lesion in the right adrenal gland, associated with tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava, was revealed. Transcatheter arterial embolization of the arteries feeding the metastatic tumor was performed, but its effects were incomplete. As there was the tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava and no other intrahepatic recurrence or extrahepatic metastasis was found, resection of the right adrenal gland with tumor thrombus, without the employment of veno-venous bypass, was performed, followed by postoperative hormonal supplementation. Changes in the patient's alpha-fetoprotein level were clinically useful for the detection of the metastatic lesions and the evaluation of therapeutic effects. Metastasis to adrenal gland from hepatocellular carcinoma should be actively managed, and the appropriate surgical treatment selected, if intrahepatic recurrence and/or other extrahepatic metastasis are controlled. To achieve higher curability and better outcome in patients with bilateral adrenal metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma, bilateral total adrenalectomy is indicated, accompanied by effective postoperative hormonal supplementation. (Received Apr. 15, 1998; accepted July 24, 1998)     

Congenital absence of the portal vein complicating hepatic tumors

Congenital absence of the portal vein (CAPV) is a rare malformation that is often accompanied by other anomalies such as cardiac and skeletal malformations and/or hepatic tumors. We describe here a case of CAPV complicating hepatic tumors in a 16-year-old Japanese girl. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a hyperechoic tumor in the liver and dilatation of the portal vein that appeared to be connected directly with the inferior vena cava. Subsequent abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed tumors and magnetic resonance angiography confirmed that the portal vein entered directly into the inferior vena cava just above the liver. In addition, there was absence of the right portal vein and the left intrahepatic branch except for the presence of left portal vein only within the porta hepatis. These findings led to a diagnosis of CAPV complicated hepatic tumors. Careful monitoring of these hepatic tumors is ongoing due to the possibility of malignant transformation.     

Surgical anatomy of the inferior vena cava ligament

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The inferior vena cava ligament is a fibrous membrane located around the inferior vena cava. Few reports exist on the ligament's location, attachment to the liver, or the inferior vena cava. METHODOLOGY: We obtained 16 specimens of human liver and inferior vena cava from cadavers. The inferior vena cava ligament was photographed and then dissected for histological examination. Relationships among the ligament, inferior vena cava, and liver were examined microscopically. The numbers and diameters of veins, arteries, and lymph vessels at least 1 mm in diameter were recorded. RESULTS: The cranial margin of the inferior vena cava ligament was ended in a blind loop. The cranial portion above the mid-portion of the Spiegel lobe was thicker than the caudal portion. The ligament was attached to the right and left hepatic veins. The mean length of the right side of the inferior vena cava ligament was 37.0 mm and the mean width 15.6 mm. The inferior vena cava ligament had a mean thickness of 0.8 mm (thin end) and 2.5 mm (thick end). Although the inferior vena cava ligament was usually tightly continuous with the liver capsule, microscopically the attachment between the ligament and the inferior vena cava was loose. The mean number and diameter of veins in the inferior vena cava ligament was 1.0 and 1.4 mm, respectively. The mean number and diameter of arteries was 0.2 and 2.4 mm, respectively. The mean number and diameter of lymphatic vessels was 2.8 and 1.7 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: After dissection of the inferior vena cava ligament, major hepatic veins can be dissected extrahepatically. Because the ligament is wider caudally, the forceps should be inserted caudocranially during separation. Since both the number and diameters of lymphatic vessels in the ligament are large, the ligament should be ligated and cut.     

Huge focal nodular hyperplasia difficult to distinguish from well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma

We present a 43‐year‐old man with huge focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) that was difficult to distinguish from well‐differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). He previously had abnormal portal vein circulation due to hypoplasia of the intrahepatic portal vein, which was treated with a superior mesenteric vein–inferior vena cava shunt. Laboratory findings included predominantly indirect hyperbilirubinemia with concomitant elevation in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and ammonia. Serum α‐fetoprotein and des‐γ‐carboxy prothrombin were slightly elevated. Multidetector‐row computed tomography detected the primary tumor in the left liver lobe, which partially showed a central stellate scar. Gd ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging showed some low‐intensity areas in the tumor in the hepatocyte phase. 99mTc‐galactosyl human serum albumin scintigraphy showed normal intake of agent in the tumor. We could not rule out well‐differentiated HCC. Extended left hepatectomy was performed. Final histopathological findings showed that most of the tumor was FNH against a background of portal vein hypoplasia with moderate atypia and hemorrhage. And immunohistochemical analysis revealed high expression of organic anion transporter (OATP) 1B3 and low expression of multidrug resistance‐associated protein (MRP) 2 in a part of the tumor. The patient has remained alive with no hepatic lesion for 1 year after surgery. We describe a case of huge FNH that was difficult to distinguish from well‐differentiated HCC even by current fully preoperative imaging technology and demonstrate the effectiveness of curative surgical resection.     

Preliminary results with "ex situ" surgery for hepatic tumors: an alternative between palliative treatment and liver transplantation?]

We report 3 cases of liver tumors which were unsuitable for conventional resection and which were removed using a technique combining hypothermic portal perfusion with an anhepatic period of more than 2 hours. The liver was mobilized after section of the infra- and supra-hepatic inferior vena cava in 2 cases. The tumor was a cholangiocarcinoma in 2 cases and colonic metastasis in 1 case. Non-tumoral liver parenchyma was normal in all cases. The inferior vena cava was involved by the tumor in 2 cases. Complete tumor resection was achieved in all cases, but required reconstruction of the hepatic veins in 1 case. Two patients in whom portal venous bypass was not used developed hemodynamic failure after liver revascularization. One of them died. In patients without underlying chronic liver disease and with unresectable tumor by conventional technique, "ex situ" resection can be a worthwhile therapeutic alternative.