Right hepatectomy for giant cavernous hemangioma with diffuse hemangiomatosis around Glisson's capsule

Diffuse liver hemangiomatosis with giant cavernous hemangioma in adult is extremely rare. A 35 year-old woman presented to hospital with main complaint of epigastric pain and abdominal fullness. An enhanced computed tomography scan revealed a massive liver tumor in right lobe about 150 mm in size. There was contrast enhancement at the periphery of the mass consistent with a cavernous hemangioma. She underwent right hepatectomy. Histologically, it was diagnosed as a cavernous hemangioma. And also, hemangiomatous lesions were scattered around the Glisson’s capsule on the back ground liver. These hemangiomatous lesions were not recognized preoperatively. Even if we couldn’t diagnose hemangiomatosis around the main giant hemangioma preoperatively, we need to take enough surgical margins because the giant hemangioma has the potential to have small hemangiomatous lesions around the tumor. We reported right hepatectomy for giant cavernous hemangioma with diffuse hepatic hemangiomatosis without an extrahepatic lesion in an adult.

Pushing the frontiers of living donor right hepatectomy

Living donor right hepatectomy (LDRH) is currently the most common donor surgery in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation although the morbidity and mortality reported in living donors still contradicts the Hippocratic tenet of “do no harm”. Achieving low complication rates in LDRH remains a matter of major concern. Living donor surgery is performed worldwide as an established solution to the donor shortage. The aim of this study was to assess the current status of LDRH and comment on the future of the procedure; assessment was made from the standpoint of optimizing the donor selection criteria and reducing morbidity based on both the authors’ 8-year institutional experience and a literature review. New possibilities have been explored regarding selection criteria. The safety of living donors with unfavorable conditions, such as low remnant liver volume, fatty change, or old age, should also be considered. Abdominal incisions have become shorter, even without laparoscopic assistance; upper midline laparotomy is the primary incision used in more than 400 consecutive LDRHs in the authors’ institution. Various surgical techniques based on preoperative imaging technology of vascular and biliary anomalies have decreased the anatomical barriers in LDRH. Operative time has been reduced, with low blood loss. Laparoscopic or robotic LDRH has been tried in only a few selected donors. The LDRH-specific, long-term outcomes remain to be addressed. The follow-up duration of these studies should be long enough to address possible late complications. Donor safety, which is the highest priority, is ensured by three factors: preoperative selection, intraoperative surgical technique, and postoperative management. These three focus areas should be continuously refined, with the ultimate goal of zero morbidity.

Can retrohepatic tunnel be quickly and easily established for laparoscopic liver hanging maneuver by Goldfinger dissector in laparoscopic right hepatectomy?

Objective： The liver hanging maneuver （LHM） is rarely applied in laparoscopic right hepatectomy （LRH） because of the difficulty encountered in retrohepatic tunnel （RT） dissection and tape positioning. Thus far no report has detailed how to quickly and easily establish RT for laparoscopic LHM in LRH, nor has employment of the Goldfinger dissector to create a total RT been reported. This study＇s aim was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of establishing RT for laparoscopic LHM using the Goldfinger dissector in LRH. Methods： Between March 2015 and July 2015, five consecutive patients underwent LRH via the caudal approach with laparoscopic LHM. A five-step strategy using the Goldfinger dissector to establish RT for laparoscopic LHM was adopted. Perioperative data were analyzed. Results： The median age of patients was 58 （range, 51-65） years. Surgery was performed for one intrahepatic lithiasis and four hepatocellular carcinomas with a median size of 90 （40-150） mm. The median operative time was 320 （282-358） min with a median blood loss of 200 （200-600） ml. Laparoscopic LHM was achieved in a median of 31 （21-62） min, and the median postoperative hospital stay was 14 （9-16） d. No transfusion or conversion was required, and no severe liver-related morbidity or death was observed. Conclusions： The Goldfinger dissector is a useful instrument for the establishment of RT. A five-step strategy using the Goldfinger dissector can quickly and easily facilitate an RT for a laparoscopic LHM in LRH.

Right or left hepatectomy: a continuing question in the era of pure laparoscopic donor hepatectomy

We read with great interest the article by Fujiki et al.published in the Annals of Surgery(1),which advocates for the use of a left liver graft with a pure laparoscopic donor hepatectomy(PLDH)approach to reduce the burden on living donors.Minimally invasive techniques,including laparoscopic surgery,have been increasingly adopted in donor hepatectomy for liver transplantation.This reflects a broader trend in various surgical fields to enhance patient outcomes both cosmetically and functionally.Since the first report of a PLDH in the form of a left lateral sectionectomy in 2002(2),this approach has expanded to include full left and full right hepatectomies(3,4).With advancements in laparoscopic instruments and growing experience,PLDH has become a standard practice for left lateral section grafts,as recognized by the most recent international consensus guideline(5).However,PLDH for full left and full right grafts has not yet reached the same level of acceptance.Predominantly performed in Asian countries,PLDH for these grafts highlights differences in donor and recipient characteristics compared to Western countries.Further studies and evidence are required to confirm the safety and feasibility of PLDH for full left and full right grafts on a broader scale.

Anterior vs conventional approach right hepatic resection for large hepatocellular carcinoma:A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM To compare the clinical outcomes of right hepatectomy for large hepatocellular carcinoma via the anterior and conventional approach.METHODS We comprehensively performed an electronic search of Pub Med, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials(RCTs) or controlled clinical trials(CCTs) published between January 2000 and May 2017 concerning the anterior approach(AA) and the conventional approach(CA) to right hepatectomy. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were included, and their outcome analyses were further assessed using a fixed or random effects model.RESULTS This analysis included 2297 patients enrolled in 16 studies(3 RCTs and 13 CTTs). Intraoperative blood loss [weighted mean difference =-255.21; 95% confidence interval(95%CI):-371.3 to-139.12; P < 0.0001], intraoperative blood transfusion [odds ratio(OR) = 0.42; 95%CI: 0.29-0.61; P < 0.0001], mortality(OR = 0.59; 95%CI: 0.38-0.92; P = 0.02), morbidity(OR = 0.77; 95%CI: 0.62-0.95; P = 0.01), and recurrencerate(OR = 0.62; 95%CI: 0.47-0.83; P = 0.001) were significantly reduced in the AA group. Patients in the AA group had better overall survival(hazard ratio [HR] = 0.71; 95%CI: 0.50-1.00; P = 0.05) and disease-free survival(HR = 0.67; 95%CI: 0.58-0.79; P < 0.0001) than those in the CA group.CONCLUSION The AA is safe and effective for right hepatectomy for large hepatocellular carcinoma and could accelerate postoperative recovery and achieve better survival outcomes than the CA.

Analysis of surgical and perioperative complications in seventy-five right hepatectomies for living donor liver transplantation

AIM: To present an analysis of the surgical and perioperative complications in a series of seventy- five right hepatectomies for living-donation (RHLD) performed in our center. METHODS: From January 2002 to September 2007, we performed 75 RHLD, defined as removal of a portion of the liver corresponding to Couinaud segments 5-8, in order to obtain a graft for adult to adult living-related liver transplantation (ALRLT). Surgical complications were stratified according to the most recent version of the Clavien classification of postoperative surgical complications. The perioperative period was defined as within 90 d of surgery. RESULTS: No living donor mortality was present in this series, no donor operation was aborted and no donors received any blood transfusion. Twenty- three (30.6%) living donors presented one or more episodes of complication in the perioperative period. Seven patients (9.33%) out of 75 developed biliary complications, which were the most common complications in our series.CONCLUSION: The need to define, categorize and record complications when healthy individuals, such as living donors, undergo a major surgical procedure, such as a right hepatectomy, reflects the need for prompt and detailed reports of complications arising in this particular category of patient. Perioperative complications and post resection liver regeneration are not influenced by anatomic variations or patient demographic.

Extrahepatic right portal vein ligation allows parenchyma-sparing en bloc resection of segments 7, 8 and 4a for liver tumors engaging the right and middle hepatic veins

Right trisectionectomy for posterior liver tumors engaging the right and middle hepatic veins may lead to post-hepatectomy liver failure if the anticipated liver remnant is small. In such patients we developed a parenchymasparing one-step approach, that includes extrahepatic right portal vein ligation accompanied by en bloc resection only of segments 7, 8 and 4a and resection of the right and middle hepatic veins. The technique was applied in 3 patients with normal liver function, where according to the preoperative computed tomography the volume of segments 1, 2 and 3 ranged between 17% and 20% of the total liver volume. In all patients liver biochemistry improved rapidly postoperatively and a doubling of volume of segments 1, 2 and 3 was achieved by the third postoperative week, as extrahepatic right portal vein ligation ameliorated reperfusion injury of the remaining segments 5 and 6 and induced hypertrophy of segments 1, 2, 3 and 4b. There was no mortality or long-term complications.Patients are alive and free of disease 74, 50 and 17 months after the operation, respectively. We propose that the term ＂extended upper right sectionectomy＂ may be considered for the en bloc resection of segments 7, 8 and 4a, in future revisions ofthe Brisbane 2000 terminology of hepatic anatomy and resections.

Insights from Seoul National University Hospital’s experience: a systematic review of pure laparoscopic donor hepatectomy progression

Following its initial execution in November 2015,pure laparoscopic donor hepatectomy(PLDH)has gained acceptance as a conventional practice at Seoul National University Hospital(SNUH).It is noteworthy that a significant proportion of cases entail full right hepatectomies,which are acknowledged to be technically demanding.As expertise and knowledge have been accrued,the pure laparoscopic technique has been extended to encompass liver recipients as a viable option in SNUH.The aim of this review is to present the developmental progression of PLDH,with a focus on pure laparoscopic donor right hepatectomy(PLDRH),at SNUH.This includes the standardization process,which can be achieved by sharing the hospital’s accumulated experience and previous reports.Various types of graft,including full right,left,left lateral section,and monosegment,were procured by pure laparoscopic technique.The criteria for selection were expanded to include donors with variations in the anatomy of the portal vein and bile duct.Additionally,the procedure of PLDRH was determined to be safe and viable for donors with high body mass index and larger graft weight.In conclusion,this review demonstrates the alterations implemented throughout our evolution from restricted to inclusive criteria for donor selection,leading to a complete shift from open surgery to pure laparoscopic procedures in donor hepatectomy and eventually pure laparoscopic living donor liver transplantation(LDLT)in recipient.

Recurrent pyogenic liver abscess after pancreatoduodenectomy caused by common hepatic artery injury:A case report

BACKGROUND Pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD)has been increasingly performed as a safe treatment option for periampullary malignant and benign disorders.However,the operation may result in significant postoperative complications.Here,we present a case that recurrent pyogenic liver abscess after PD is caused by common hepatic artery injury in atypical celiac axis anatomy.CASE SUMMARY A 56-year-old man with a 1-d history of fever and shivering was diagnosed with hepatic abscess.One year and five months ago,he underwent PD at a local hospital to treat chronic pancreatitis.After the operation,the patient had recurrent intrahepatic abscesses for 4 times,and the symptoms were relieved after percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage combining with anti-inflammatory therapy in the local hospital.Further examination showed that the recurrent liver abscess after PD was caused by common hepatic artery injury due to abnormal abdominal vascular anatomy.The patient underwent percutaneous drainage but continued to have recurrent episodes.His condition was eventually cured by right hepatectomy.In this case,preoperative examination of the patient’s anatomical variations with computed tomography would have played a pivotal role in avoiding arterial injuries.CONCLUSION A careful computed tomography analysis should be considered mandatory not only to define the operability(with radical intent)of PD candidates but also to identify atypical arterial patterns and plan the optimal surgical strategy.