Robotic ALPPS.

BACKGROUND: The associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) procedure is a useful strategy to treat patients with advanced liver tumors and small future liver remnants. This video presents a robotic ALPPS procedure to treat synchronous colorectal liver metastases. METHODS: A 71-year-old man with liver metastases from sigmoid cancer was referred. A multidisciplinary team decided on chemotherapy followed by liver resection (first), then colon resection. After four cycles, objective response was observed and the multidisciplinary team then chose the ALPPS procedure. The future liver remnant (segments 3 and 4 and the Spiegel lobe) was 24%. A robotic approach was proposed. Colon resection was performed after the ALPPS procedure, also using the robotic approach. RESULTS: The duration of the first stage was 293 min, and the technique used in the first stage was partial ALPPS (parenchymal transection deep to 2 cm above the inferior vena cava) with preservation of the right hepatic duct. The patient was discharged on the fourth day. The second stage of the procedure took 245 min. Recovery was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the fourth day. Finally, the patient underwent robotic resection of the primary colorectal neoplasm. The surgery lasted 182 min, recovery was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the fifth postoperative day. Final pathology disclosed a T3N1bM1 adenocarcinoma. Liver pathology confirmed colorectal metastases with partial response. All surgical margins were free. Currently, the patient is well, with no signs of disease 5 months post-procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic ALPPS is feasible and safe. The robotic approach may have some advantages over the laparoscopic and open ALPPS approaches. This video may help oncological surgeons to perform this complex procedure.

Robotic Repeat Right Hepatectomy for Recurrent Colorectal Liver Metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Repeat hepatectomy often is required for primary and metastatic tumors. The purpose of this video was to present a robotic repeat hepatectomy for recurrent colorectal metastasis after multiple previous open surgeries. PATIENT: A 64-year-old man underwent open left colectomy complicated by anastomotic leak. He was reoperated for colostomy, which was reverted. One year later, he underwent open metastasectomy. Recently, he presented a recurrence in the right liver, and a robotic right hepatectomy was indicated. TECHNIQUE: This approach used five trocars. The operation began with adhesiolysis. The next step was to dissect and divide the right hepatic artery and the right portal vein. A retrohepatic tunnel is created on the right side of the inferior vena cava for a modified liver hanging maneuver. The liver was pulled upwards and liver transection resumed towards the right hepatic vein. The liver was divided with bipolar forceps under continuous saline irrigation. The right hepatic duct was found inside the liver and was divided. Finally, the right hepatic vein was divided inside the liver parenchyma using a vascular stapler, and robotic right hepatectomy was completed. RESULTS: The operative time for docking was 10 min; adhesiolysis took 90 min while robotic right hepatectomy was completed in 240 min. The Pringle maneuver was not used. Estimated blood loss was 150 mL with no need for transfusion. Recovery was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the fifth postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic repeat hepatectomy is feasible and safe in experienced hands and may have some advantages over laparoscopic and open repeat liver resections.

Robotic Left Hepatectomy and Roux-en-Y Hepaticojejunostomy After Bile Duct Injury.

BACKGROUND: Bile duct injuries after cholecystectomy remain a major concern because their incidence has not changed through the years despite technical advances. This video presents a robotic left hepatectomy and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy as a treatment for a complex bile duct injury after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: A 52-year-old man underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy at another institution 8 years previously, which resulted in a bile duct injury. His postoperative period was complicated by jaundice and cholangitis. He was treated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and multiple endoprostheses for 3 years, after which the endoprostheses were removed, and he was sent to the authors' institution. Computed tomography showed that the left liver had signs of disturbed perfusion and dilation of the left intrahepatic bile duct. The patient was asymptomatic and refused any further attempt at surgical correction of the lesion. He was accompanied for 5 years. Magnetic resonance imaging showed progressive atrophy of the left liver. Finally, 3 months before this writing, he presented with intermittent episodes of cholangitis. A multidisciplinary team decided to perform left hepatectomy with Roux-en-Y hepatojejunostomy via a robotic approach. The left liver was atrophied, and left hepatectomy was performed. Fluorescence imaging was used to identify the right bile duct. At opening of the right bile duct, small stones were found and removed. Antecolic Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy then was performed. RESULTS: The operative time was 335 min. Recovery was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 4. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic repair of bile duct injuries is feasible and safe, even when liver resection is necessary. This video may help oncologic surgeons to perform this complex procedure.

Transition from open to laparoscopic ALPPS for patients with very small FLR: the initial experience.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic ALPPS (Associating Liver Partition and Portal vein ligation for Staged hepatectomy) has previously been reported but has been the authors' default option since 2015 in patients with small future liver remnant. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients undergoing ALPPS at a single referral center was performed using a prospective database from July 2011 to June 2016. Feasibility was studied by assessing conversions. The 90-day mortality and complications were analyzed using a Dindo-Clavien score and the comprehensive complication index. Operative time, blood loss, volumetric growth, and hospital stay were examined. The CUSUM analysis was performed. RESULTS: ALPPS was performed in 30 patients, 10 of whom underwent a laparoscopic approach. There was no mortality and no complication grade ≥3A observed in laparoscopic ALPPS. In open ALPPS, 10 of 20 patients experienced complications grade ≥3A (p = 0.006) and one patient died. Liver failure was not observed after laparoscopic ALPPS, but two patients in the open ALPPS group developed complications that precluded the second stage. The total hospital stay was shorter in the laparoscopic ALPPS group. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic ALPPS is feasible as the default procedure for patients with very small FLR, and it is not inferior to the open approach. Surgeons experienced with complex laparoscopy should be encouraged to use a laparoscopic approach to ALPPS.

Totally Laparoscopic Hepatic Bisegmentectomy (s4b+s5) and Hilar Lymphadenectomy for Incidental Gallbladder Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder cancer is suspected preoperatively in only 30 % of all patients, while the remaining 70 % of cases are discovered incidentally by the pathologist. The increasing rate of cholecystectomies via laparoscopy has led to the detection of more gallbladder cancers in an early stage, and extended resection with regional lymph node dissection has been suggested. We present a video of a totally laparoscopic liver resection (segments 5 and 4b) with regional lymphadenectomy in a patient with an incidental gallbladder cancer. METHODS: A 50-year-old woman underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and pathology revealed a T1b gallbladder carcinoma. The patient was referred for further treatment. Contact with the primary surgeon revealed that no intraoperative cholangiogram was performed, and the gallbladder was removed intact, with no perforation, and inside a plastic retrieval bag. Pathology revision confirmed T1b, and positron emission tomography/computed tomography was negative. The multidisciplinary tumor board recommended radical re-resection, and a decision was made to perform a laparoscopic extended hilar lymphadenectomy, along the resection of segments 5 and 4b. RESULTS: Operative time was 5 h, with an estimated blood loss of 240 mL. Recovery was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the fourth postoperative day. Final pathology showed no residual disease and no lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic resection of liver segments 5 and 4b combined with a locoregional lymphadenectomy of the hepatoduodenal ligament is an oncologically appropriate technique, provided it is performed in a specialized center with experience in hepatobiliary surgery and advanced laparoscopic surgery. This video may help oncological surgeons to perform this complex procedure.

Totally laparoscopic right hepatectomy with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy for right-sided intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the bile duct.

BACKGROUND: Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct is a precursor lesion of cholangiocarcinoma. We present a video of a totally laparoscopic right hepatectomy with hilar dissection and lymphadenectomy, en-bloc resection of the extrahepatic bile duct, and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy in a patient with intraductal papillary neoplasm of the right hepatic duct. METHODS: A 58-year-old woman with right upper quadrant pain was referred for evaluation. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed dilatation of intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a stop in the right bile duct, with dilatation of the distal bile duct. The decision was to perform a totally laparoscopic right hepatectomy with hilar lymphadenectomy and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. RESULTS: The operative time was 400 min. Estimated blood loss was 400 ml, without the need for transfusions. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the 10th postoperative day. The abdominal drain was removed on the 14th postoperative drain with no signs of biliary leakage. Final pathology confirmed the diagnosis of intraductal papillary neoplasm without malignant transformation. Surgical margins were free. Patient is well with no evidence of the disease 14 months after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic right hepatectomy with hepaticojejunostomy is feasible and safe, provided it is performed in a specialized center and with staff with experience in hepatobiliary surgery and advanced laparoscopic surgery. Currently this operation is reserved for selected cases. This video can help oncologic surgeons to perform this complex procedure.

A new instrument for intrahepatic access of Glissonian pedicles during anatomical liver resections.

The knowledge of liver anatomy has led to a rapid evolution based on the intrahepatic distribution of the portal pedicle. One great advance in liver surgery was the used of segment-based liver resections. Techniques based with intrahepatic Glissonian access of portal pedicles were described to safely perform anatomical liver resections. We have earlier described a standardized intrahepatic access to right and left liver segments' pedicles without hilar dissection for anatomical hepatectomies. To improve the intrahepatic Glissonian technique, we designed a new atraumatic instrument for liver pedicle retrieval based on the anatomical liver landmarks. This new instrument was successfully employed in seventeen consecutive liver resections with minimum blood loss and without any complications related to its use. This new instrument, atraumatic retriever, replaces the right angle dissector or Gray clamp. The new instrument can slide easily and smoothly around Glissonian pedicle with a simple movement. This new instrument is a useful adjunct for performing intrahepatic access for liver resections. It can also be used to compass delicate anatomical structures such as esophagus and major abdominal vessels. The retriever can further be used in other common situations, including access for Pringle maneuver, encircling proximal esophagus during total gastrectomies or esophagectomies, and access for total vascular exclusion of the liver. This instrument can also be adapted to be used for laparoscopic liver resections.

ALPPS procedure with the use of pneumoperitoneum.

BACKGROUND: A new method for liver hypertrophy was recently introduced, the so-called associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) procedure. We present a video of an ALPPS procedure with the use of pneumoperitoneum. METHODS: A 29-year-old woman with colon cancer and synchronous liver metastasis underwent a two-stage liver resection by the ALPPS technique because of an extremely small future liver remnant. RESULTS: The first operation began with 30 min pneumoperitoneum. Anatomical resection of segment 2 was performed, followed by multiple enucleations on the left liver. The right portal vein was ligated and the liver partitioned. The abdominal cavity was partially closed, and a 10 mm trocar was left to create a pneumoperitoneum for additional 30 min. The patient had an adequate future liver remnant volume after 7 days, but she was not clinically fit for the second stage of therapy, so it was postponed. She was discharged on day 7 after surgery. The second stage took place 3 weeks later and consisted of an en-bloc right trisectionectomy extended to segment 1. The patient recovered and was discharged 9 days after second-stage surgery. Postoperative CT scan revealed an enlarged remnant liver. CONCLUSIONS: The ALPPS procedure is a new revolutionary technique that permits R0 resection even in patients with massive liver metastasis. The use of pneumoperitoneum during the first stage is an easy tool that may prevent hard adhesions, allowing an easier second stage. This video may help oncological surgeons to perform and standardize this challenging procedure.

First Robotic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass for the Treatment of Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in a Patient With Systemic Sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an immune-mediated disease that results in fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) associated with severe esophageal dysmotility is common in SSc patients, and surgical treatment with usual anti-reflux procedures such as fundoplications is associated with dismal symptomatic relief and postoperative dysphagia. We report the first robotic short-limb Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) with a short Roux limb for the treatment of GERD in a patient with SSc with intense esophageal dysmotility. The operative time was two hours. The procedure and postoperative course were uneventful. The patient presented complete relief of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and no postoperative dysphagia in a two-year follow-up. Therefore, short-limb RYGB is a safe and very effective alternative for the treatment of severe GERD in patients with SSc. The robotic surgical platform may have some advantages compared to conventional laparoscopy.

Primary Pancreatic Lymphoma: Endosonography-Guided Tissue Acquisition Diagnosis.

Primary pancreatic lymphoma is a rare type of cancer, that accounts for 0.1-0.5% of lymphomas and about 0.2% of all primary pancreatic tumors. Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma is the most common subtype. The diagnosis is possible if the lymphoma is located in the pancreas, but the differential diagnosis with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is difficult. The diagnostic accuracy of endosonography-guided fine needle aspiration is inadequate, and thus it is common to diagnose these masses only after surgical resection. The endosonography-guided tissue acquisition allows greater accuracy in the pancreatic masses, as it determines optimal access to histological analysis using tissue in paraffin blocks for complementary immunohistochemical, and molecular tests. Thus, this elaborate diagnostic environment allows the adoption of appropriate treatment strategies for patients with this condition. The authors describe four cases of primary pancreatic lymphoma indicated for surgical resection due to suspected pancreatic cancer, with the diagnosis of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma obtained by endosonography-guided tissue acquisition, changing the therapeutic strategy through the adoption of adequate chemotherapy treatment with good progress.

Molecular Basis of Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy in Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hyperammonemic encephalopathy is a potentially fatal condition associated with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. The mechanism involved in hyperammonemia in patients with fibrolamellar carcinoma was unclear until a possible physiopathological pathway was recently proposed. An ornithine transcarboxylase dysfunction was suggested as a result of increased ornithine decarboxylase activity induced by c-Myc overexpression. This c-Myc overexpression resulted from Aurora kinase A overexpression derived from the activity of a chimeric kinase that is the final transcript of a deletion in chromosome 19, common to all fibrolamellar carcinomas. We performed the analysis of the expression of all enzymes involved and tested for the mutation in chromosome 19 in fresh frozen samples of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, non-tumor liver, and hepatic adenomatosis. The specific DNAJB-PRKACA fusion protein that results from the recurrent mutation on chromosome 19 common to all fibrolamellar carcinoma was detected only in the fibrolamellar carcinoma sample. Fibrolamellar carcinoma and adenomyomatosis samples presented increased expression of Aurora kinase A, c-MYC, and ornithine decarboxylase when compared to normal liver, while ornithine transcarbamylase was decreased. The proposed physiopathological pathway is correct and that overexpression of c-Myc may also be responsible for hyperammonemia in patients with other types of rapidly growing hepatomas. This gives further evidence to apply new and adequate treatment to this severe complication.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Tissue Acquisition Versus Fine Needle Aspiration for Diagnosis of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Compare the 22G needle versus EchoTip ProCore® 20 (Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN, USA) on their handling, specimen suitability, amount of tissue obtained, diagnostic performance, the possibility of immunohistochemistry, and rate of adverse events. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective, comparative study of consecutively examined patients with pancreatic masses who underwent endosonography-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) via the 22G needle, and endosonography-guided tissue acquisition (TA) via ProCore 20 (PC20). The operator evaluated needle insertion and subjectively classified the specimen. The pathologist measured the samples, classified the amount of tissue, and determined the influence of bleeding on the interpretation. RESULTS: A total of 129 patients participated in the study, out of whom 52 underwent endosonography-guided FNA with 22G and 77 underwent endosonography-guided TA with a PC20 needle. Malignant lesions were found in 106, and 23 had benign lesions. The duodenal route was used in 62% of patients. The 22G needle was easier to introduce (p=0.0495). However, PC20 obtained a larger amount (p<0.01) with fewer punctures (p<0.001). The PC20 also yielded a larger average microcore diameter (p=0.0032). Microhistology was adequate for 22G and PC20 in 22 (42.2%) and 50 (78.1%) specimens, respectively (p<0.001). Bleeding was not significantly different (p>0.999). Immunohistochemistry was possible in 36 (69.2%) and 40 (51.9%) specimens obtained by 22G and PC20, respectively (p=0.075). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of 22G were 93.5%, 100%, 100%, 66.7%, and 94.2%, respectively; and for PC20, it was 95%, 100%, 100%, 85%, and 96.1%, respectively. Mild bleeding was the most common early adverse event, occurring in 2/52 (3.8%) 22G and 4/77 (5.2%) PC20 cases (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The PC20 required fewer punctures and reduced the need for immunohistochemistry as it yielded better and larger microcores. Its ease of insertion into the target lesion makes it a good option to obtain satisfactory microcore specimens in difficult positions, such as the transduodenal route.

Disruption of proteome by an oncogenic fusion kinase alters metabolism in fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma.

Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLC) is a usually lethal primary liver cancer driven by a somatic dysregulation of protein kinase A. We show that the proteome of FLC tumors is distinct from that of adjacent nontransformed tissue. These changes can account for some of the cell biological and pathological alterations in FLC cells, including their drug sensitivity and glycolysis. Hyperammonemic encephalopathy is a recurrent problem in these patients, and established treatments based on the assumption of liver failure are unsuccessful. We show that many of the enzymes that produce ammonia are increased and those that consume ammonia are decreased. We also demonstrate that the metabolites of these enzymes change as expected. Thus, hyperammonemic encephalopathy in FLC may require alternative therapeutics.

Right trisectionectomy with principle en bloc portal vein resection for right-sided hilar cholangiocarcinoma: no-touch technique.

BACKGROUND: The most favorable long-term survival rate for hilar cholangiocarcinoma is achieved by a R0 resection. A surgical concept involving a no-touch technique, with extended right hepatic resections and principle en bloc portal vein resection was described by Neuhaus et al. According to Neuhaus et al., their technique may increase the chance of R0, because the right branch of the portal vein and hepatic artery is in close contact with the tumor and is frequently infiltrated. The left artery runs on the left margin of the hilum and often is free. The 5-year survival rate for their patients is 61% but 60-day mortality rate is 8%. Given the increased morbidity, some authors do not agree with routine resection of portal vein and may perform the resection of portal vein only on demand, after intraoperative assessment and confirmation of portal vein invasion. This video shows en bloc resection of extrahepatic bile ducts, portal vein bifurcation, and right hepatic artery, together with extended right trisectionectomy (removal of segments 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8). METHODS: A 75-year-old man with progressive jaundice due to right-sided hilar cholangiocarcinoma underwent percutaneous biliary drainage with metallic stents for palliation. The patient was referred for a second opinion. Serum bilirubin levels were normal, and CT scan showed a resectable tumor, but volumetry showed a small left liver remnant. Right portal vein embolization was then performed, and CT scan performed after 4 weeks showed adequate compensatory hypertrophy of the future liver remnant (segments 2 and 3). Surgical decision was to perform a right trisectionectomy with en bloc portal vein and bile duct resection using the no-touch technique. RESULTS: The operation began with hilar lymphadenectomy. The common bile duct is sectioned. Right hepatic artery is ligated. Left hepatic artery is encircled. Portal vein is dissected and encircled. Right liver is mobilized and detached from retrohepatic vena cava. Right and middle hepatic veins are divided. A right trisectionectomy along with segment 1 is performed, leaving specimen attached only by the portal vein. Portal vein is severed above and below the tumor, and specimen is removed. Portal vein anastomosis is done end-to-end with 6-0 Prolene. Doppler confirms normal portal flow. The procedure ends with Roux-Y hepaticojejunostomy. The patient recovered uneventfully, without transfusion, and was discharged on the tenth postoperative day. Final pathology confirmed hilar cholangiocarcinoma and R0 resection. Portal vein showed microscopic invasion. Patient is well with no evidence of the disease 14 months after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Right trisectionectomy with en bloc portal vein and bile duct resection is feasible and may enhance chance for R0 resection and a better late outcome, especially in cases when portal vein is microscopically involved. Although described in 1999, there are few detailed descriptions of this procedure, and to the best of our knowledge, no multimedia articles are available. This video may help oncological surgeons to perform and standardize this challenging procedure.

Retroperitoneal Bronchogenic Cyst Mimicking a Pancreatic Cystic Lesion with Extremely High Level of Intralesional Fluid CA-19.9 Antigen: Benign in Disguise.

Bronchogenic cysts are congenital benign tumors resulting from abnormal budding of the primitive foregut. Usually presented on the posterior mediastinum, its presence on the retroperitoneum is extremely rare. We present an asymptomatic lady patient with a retroperitoneal cystic lesion that was submitted to endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsies and intracystic fluid aspiration with histology excluding malignance despite intracystic fluid biochemical analysis that disclosed extremely high carbohydrate antigen 19-9. Definite diagnosis of bronchogenic cyst was only possible after complete surgical resection of the lesion. Furthermore, we discuss the use of this antigen as a tumor marker in this situation and its relevance to the preoperative diagnosis of such lesions.

Totally robotic caudate lobe liver resection: Bridge over troubled water.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive hepatectomy has well-known advantages over the traditional open approach. Inherent limitations of laparoscopy make major hepatectomies and the resection of upper and posterior segments a great technical challenge. The robotic approach overcomes most of these limitations, and this technology is most useful in the resection of the deeply located caudate lobe. METHODS: We describe the robotic caudate lobe resection technical aspects, using the first robotic resection of the caudate lobe to treat a biphenotypic hepatocholangiocarcinoma to illustrate the procedure. We also performed a literature review on the current status of the robotic approach to segment (Sg) 1. RESULTS: Technical approach to the robotic caudate lobe resection is described in a patient with uneventful post-operative recovery. Literature review demonstrated only four previous authors reporting the use of this technique. CONCLUSION: We present a step-by-step approach to the hepatic Sg 1 resection by robotic approach.