Laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy guided by indocyanine green fluorescence: A cranial-dorsal approach.

BACKGROUND: Advancements in laparoscopic technology and a deeper understanding of intrahepatic anatomy have led to the establishment of more precise laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) techniques. The indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence navigation technique has emerged as the most effective method for identifying hepatic regions, potentially overcoming the limitations of LH. While laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy (LLH) is a standardized procedure, there is a need for innovative strategies to enhance its outcomes. AIM: To investigate a standardized cranial-dorsal strategy for LLH, focusing on important anatomical markers, surgical skills, and ICG staining methods. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients who underwent ICG fluorescence-guided LLH at Qujing Second People's Hospital between January 2019 and February 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The cranial-dorsal approach was performed which involves dissecting the left hepatic vein cephalad, isolating the Arantius ligament , exposing the middle hepatic vein, and dissecting the parenchyma from the dorsal to the foot in order to complete the anatomical LLH. The surgical methods, as well as intra- and post-surgical data, were recorded and analyzed. Our hospital's Medical Ethics Committee approved this study (Ethical review: 2022-019-01). RESULTS: Intraoperative blood loss during LLH was 335.68 ± 99.869 mL and the rates of transfusion and conversion to laparotomy were 13.5% and 0%, respectively. The overall incidence of complications throughout the follow-up (median of 18 months; range 1-36 months) was 21.6%. No mortality or severe complications (level IV) were reported. CONCLUSION: LLH has the potential to become a novel, standardized approach that can effectively, safely, and simply expose the middle hepatic vein and meet the requirements of precision surgery.

Crucial Roles of the Assistant Surgeon During Laparoscopic Left Hemihepatectomy.

Background Although left hemihepatectomy has been widely performed via the laparoscopic approach, the roles of the assistant surgeon have not been well-documented so far. We herein present our standardized procedures of laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy without Spiegel's lobe resection, focusing on the crucial roles of the assistant surgeon. Methods During laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy without Spiegel's lobe resection, countertraction by the assistant surgeon is quite important especially during isolating the left Glissonean pedicle and transecting liver parenchyma. When securing the left hepatic pedicle using the Glissonean approach, the assistant surgeon pushes Segment 4 of the liver cranially and pulls the tape encircling the hepatoduodenal ligament caudally in the opposite way, orthogonal to the direction of the laparoscopic forceps toward the left portal triad. During liver parenchymal transection, the assistant surgeon pulls the hanging tape across the left lobe of the liver in order to provide a wide and stable liver transection plane. With this standardized technique, nine cases of laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy were performed over the last two years in our department, and the perioperative data were retrospectively analyzed. Results The median age of the nine patients was 70 years (range: 58 - 84 years). Most of the patients were males (77.8%). Five of nine patients were diagnosed with colorectal liver metastasis, two with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one with inflammatory pseudotumor, and the other one with hepaticolithiasis. There were no conversions to open surgery. The median operative time and estimated blood loss were 337 minutes (range: 219 - 478 minutes) and 100 ml (range: 41 - 375 ml), respectively. The median length of postoperative hospital stay was nine days (range: 7 - 16 days). Major complications (Clavien-Dindo classification grade III or more) were not encountered in our cohort postoperatively. Conclusion We presented here our standardized assistant roles during laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy without Spiegel's lobe resection, which was revealed to be safe and feasible in our cohort.

Feasible laparoscopic left trisectionectomy by Arantius' ligament approach (with video).

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic trisectionectomy is a technically challenging procedure with high rate of postoperative morbidity [1,2]. Arantius' ligament approach is useful to expose the root of middle hepatic vein, which is required in left trisectionectomy [3]. METHODS: This video illustrates laparoscopic left trisectionectomy using Arantius' ligament approach. A 63-year-old man, with chronic kidney disease, had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with a diameter of 8 cm, located in the segment 4 and anterior section of the liver. The tumor was close to the umbilical portion of the left portal vein and future liver remnant was 770 ml (49.5% of the whole liver) after left trisectionectomy. VIDEO: After the pneumoperitoneum and the mobilization of the left lateral segment, the root of left and middle hepatic vein was exposed by division of Arantius' ligament and parenchymal transection of dorsal surface around the root of left hepatic vein. Next, the left Glissonian pedicle was controlled and divided. The Glissonean pedicle for the anterior section was then isolated and divided. Demarcation line was then observed using indocyanine green negative counterstaining. Parenchymal transection was completed followed by the division of the common trunk of the left and middle hepatic veins. RESULTS: The operation time was 294 min, and the blood loss was 400 g. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 16 after conservative treatment for temporary kidney injury. Pathological examination revealed intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with negative surgical margin. CONCLUSION: The Arantius' ligament approach could be a feasible procedure for left trisectionectomy.

Arantius Ligament Suspension: A Novel Technique for Retraction of the Left Lateral Lobe Liver During Laparoscopic Isolated Caudate Lobectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic isolated caudate lobectomy remains a challenging procedure because of its deep location and proximity to the important vessels. We present a novel technique, Arantius ligament suspension, which could improve operative field exposure in laparoscopic isolated caudate lobectomy through retraction of the left lateral lobe liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Arantius ligament suspension technique was performed in 6 selected patients during laparoscopic isolated caudate lobectomy in our center: 2 with symptomatic hepatic cavernous hemangioma and 4 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The Arantius ligament suspension technique was performed using a 2-0 polypropylene suture (Prolen2-0®; Ethicon, Somerville, NJ), which was secured to the Arantius ligament with surgical clips at its halfway point and the left lateral lobe of liver would be retracted toward the abdominal wall when the suture was tightened. Perioperative data of these patients and follow-up data of HCC patients were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: All 6 procedures were completed without conversion to open surgery or requiring additional ports. The mean tumor size was 5.4 cm (2.2-7.8 cm), the mean blood loss was 260 mL (50-440 mL), and no patients required blood transfusion during the operation. The mean time required for this technique was 2 minutes 5 seconds (1 minutes 36 seconds-2 minutes 44 seconds) and the mean duration of entire surgery was 249 minutes (173-300 minutes). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 7 days (5-9 days) and no postoperative complication related to the suspension procedure occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Our outcomes demonstrated the Arantius ligament suspension technique is a feasible and ideal method during laparoscopic isolated caudate lobectomy for providing a rapid and safe left lateral lobe retraction.