Usefulness of image-navigated surgery in liver surgery

Previously, computed tomography (CT) yielded cross-sectional images reconstructed from single-slice CT. However, the recently developed multidetector-row spiral CT provides isotropic voxel data sets, giving clear and precise three-dimensional images of the intrahepatic vascular structure. The vascular anatomy of the liver and relationship between liver tumors and intrahepatic vascular structure can thus be determined. We have developed software for an image-navigated surgery system with which vessels supplying blood to tumors and main hepatic vein drainage can be identified in patients preoperatively. Virtual liver resection can then be performed on a computer using this software. This simulation surgery contributes to making subsequent actual hepatic resection safer and less invasive.