Laparoscopic liver resection: Toward a truly minimally invasive approach

In the surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal liver metastasis, it is important to preserve sufficient liver volume after resection in order to avoid post-hepatectomy liver sufficiency and to increase the feasibility of repeated hepatectomyin case of intrahepatic recurrence. Parenchymasparing approach, which minimizes the extent of resection while obtaining sufficient surgical margins, has been developed in open hepatectomy. Although this approach can possibly have positive impacts on morbidity and mortality, it is not popular in laparoscopic approach because parenchyma-sparing resection is technically demanding especially by laparoscopy due to its intricate curved transection planes. "Small incision, big resection" is the words to caution laparoscopic surgeons against an easygoing trend to seek for a superficial minimal-invasiveness rather than substantial patient-benefits. Minimal parenchyma excision is often more important than minimal incision. Recently, several reports have shown that technical evolution and accumulation of experience allow surgeons to overcome the hurdle in laparoscopic parenchymasparing resection of difficult-to-access liver lesions in posterosuperior segments, paracaval portion, and central liver. Laparoscopic surgeons should now seek for the possibility of laparoscopic parenchyma-sparing hepatectomy as open approach can, which we believe is beneficial for patients rather than just a small incision and lead laparoscopic hepatectomy toward a truly minimally-invasive approach.

Splenectomy in living donor liver transplantation and risk factors of portal vein thrombosis

Background:Graft inflow modulation(GIM)during adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation(LDLT)is a common strategy to avoid small-for-size syndrome,and some transplant surgeons attempt small size graft strategy with frequent GIM procedures,which are mostly performed by splenectomy,in LDLT.However,splenectomy can cause serious complications such as portal vein thrombosis and overwhelming postsplenectomy infection.Methods:Forty-eight adult-to-adult LDLT recipients were enrolled in this study and retrospectively reviewed.We applied the graft selection criteria,which routinely fulfill graft-to-recipient weight ratio≥0.8%,and consider GIM as a backup strategy for high portal venous pressure(PVP).Results:In our current strategy of LDLT,splenectomy was performed mostly due to hepatitis C and splenic arterial aneurysms,but splenectomy for GIM was intended to only one patient(2.1%).The final PVP values≤20 mmHg were achieved in all recipients,and no significant difference was observed in patient survival or postoperative clinical course based on whether splenectomy was performed or not.However,6 of 18 patients with splenectomy(33.3%)developed postsplenectomy portal vein thrombosis(PVT),while none of the 30 patients without splenectomy developed PVT after LDLT.Splenectomy was identified as a risk factor of PVT in this study(P<0.001).Our study revealed that a lower final PVP could be risk factor of postsplenectomy PVT.Conclusions:Using sufficient size grafts was one of the direct solutions to control PVP,and allowed GIM to be reserved as a backup procedure.Splenectomy should be avoided as much as possible during LDLT because splenectomy was found to be a definite risk factor of PVT.In splenectomy cases with a lower final PVP,a close follow-up is required for early detection and treatment of PVT.

Cholangiocarcinoma after flow diversion surgery for congenital biliary dilatation: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Pancreaticobiliary maljunction(PBM)can be classified into two categories,PBM with congenital biliary dilatation(CBD)or PBM without biliary dilatation,and the management of PBM is often controversial.The treatment for PBM with CBD is prophylactic flow diversion surgery,and some authors have reported that the incidence of cancer after extrahepatic bile duct excision is less than 1%.A very rare case of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma 6 years after flow diversion surgery for PBM with CBD is reported.CASE SUMMARY A 30-year-old man was diagnosed as having PBM with CBD,Todani classification type IVA,because of abnormal liver enzyme profiles.He underwent flow diversion surgery and cholecystectomy,and the specimen showed adenocarcinoma foci,pT1,pStage IA.Five and a half years passed without any recurrence of bile duct cancer.However,6 years after his operation,computed tomography showed a gradually growing nodule in the bile duct.Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography showed high uptake,and magnetic resonance imaging showed restricted diffusion signals.On double balloon enteroscopy,the nodule at the posterior bile duct-jejunum anastomosis was directly visualized,and its biopsy specimen showed adenocarcinoma.The patient underwent right lobectomy and biliary reconstruction.The pathological diagnosis was intraductal papillary neoplasm with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia,pTis,pN0,pStage 0.The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful,and he has had no recurrence up to the present time.CONCLUSION This case suggests the necessity of careful observation after flow diversion surgery,especially when PBM with CBD is detected in adulthood.