Laparoscopic anatomical partial splenectomy for extremely rare isolated splenic lymphangioma in an adult: a case report and literature review.

Background: Benign tumors of the spleen are rare compared to those of other parenchymal organs, accounting for less than 0.007% of all tumors, and are often found incidentally. Splenolymphangiomas are much rarer, commonly occur in children, and tend to have multiple foci. Splenic lymphangiomas are rare in adults, and fewer than 20 adult patients with isolated splenic lymphangiomas have been reported. In this article, we report the case of a middle-aged female patient with isolated splenic lymphangioma who underwent laparoscopic anatomical hypophysectomy of the lower pole of the spleen. We also summarize the existing literature on splenic lymphangioma diagnosis and available treatment options. Case presentation: A 58-year-old middle-aged woman was found to have a mass approximately 60 mm in diameter at the lower pole of the spleen during a health checkup that was not accompanied by other symptoms or examination abnormalities. After completing a preoperative examination with no contraindications to surgery, the patient underwent laparoscopic anatomical splenectomy of the lower extremity of the spleen. The patient recovered well without complications and was discharged from the hospital on the 7th postoperative day. Histopathological and immunohistochemical results confirmed the diagnosis of splenic lymphangioma. Prompt surgical intervention is safe and necessary when splenic lymphangiomas are large or associated with a risk of bleeding. Conclusion: Splenic lymphangiomas are rare and require early surgical intervention in patients with large tumor diameters or those at risk of rupture and bleeding. After rigorous preoperative evaluation and preparation, laparoscopic anatomical partial splenectomy is safe and feasible for surgeons with experience in laparoscopic surgery.

Anatomic, isolated complete caudate lobectomy using an anterior transhepatic approach with glissonian pedicle approach and indocyanine green fluorescence guidance: a case report.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the caudate lobe presents surgical challenges due to the lack of distinct anatomical landmarks. This case report introduces a novel surgical approach combining Takasaki's classification and indocyanine green negative counterstaining for precise anatomical caudate lobectomy. A 78-year-old patient with hepatocellular carcinoma in the caudate lobe underwent surgery following preoperative volumetric assessment. The method involved a glissonian approach for both left and right pedicles, coupled with meticulous dissection of hepatic pedicles of the caudate lobe guided by taping of left and right glissonian pedicles, followed by indocyanine green administration for improved visualization of caudate lobe boundaries. The procedure enabled complete tumor resection with minimal blood loss. At 50 months postsurgery, the patient maintains favorable liver function and performance status. This innovative approach offers a promising solution for precise resection of caudate lobe hepatocellular carcinoma, potentially improving surgical outcomes and long-term prognosis.

Caudo-dorsal approach combined with the occlusion of right hepatic vein and Pringle maneuver in laparoscopic anatomical resection of segment 7.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic anatomical resection of segment 7 (LARS7) remains a technically challenging procedure due to the deep anatomical location and the potential risk of injury to the right hepatic vein (RHV). Herein, we initiated an innovative technique of caudo-dorsal approach combined with the occlusion of the RHV and Pringle maneuver for LARS7 and presented the outcomes of our initial series. METHOD: Since January 2021, the patients who underwent LARS7 by using this novel technique were enrolled in this study. The critical aspect of this technique was the interruption of communication between the RHV and the inferior vena cava. Meanwhile, the Pringle maneuver was adopted to control the hepatic inflow. RESULT: A total of 11 patients underwent LARS7 by using this novel technique, which included 8 hepatocellular carcinoma, 2 bile duct adenocarcinoma and one focal nodular hyperplasia. The median operative time was 199 min (range of 151-318 min) and the median blood loss was 150 ml (range of 50-200 ml). The main trunk of the RHV was fully exposed on the cutting surface in all cases and no patient received perioperative blood transfusion. No procedure was converted to open surgery. Of note, no indications of CO2 gas embolism were observed in these cases after the introduction of double occlusion. Only one patient suffered from postoperative complications and healed after treatment. The median postoperative stay was 5 days (range of 4-7 days). The 90-day mortality was nil. At a median follow-up period of 19 months, all of the patients were alive without any evidence of tumor recurrence. CONCLUSION: The caudo-dorsal approach combined with the occlusion of RHV and the Pringle maneuver may be a feasible and expected technique for safe exposure of RHV in LARS7. Further validation of the feasibility and efficacy of this technique is needed.

Laparoscopic anatomical resection of segment II: left lateral section-flip up method to safely and effectively encircle the Glissonean branch and expose the left hepatic vein (with video).

Laparoscopic anatomical resection of liver segment II (S2 segmentectomy) using left lateral section-flip up method is introduced to safely and effectively encircle the Glissonean branch of segment II (G2) and to expose the left hepatic vein (LHV). The left lateral section is completely mobilized and then flipped up. After encircling and clamping the G2 root, indocyanine green is intravenously injected and the demarcation line is clearly confirmed by near infrared fluorescence imaging. After exposure of the LHV from the root to this intersegmental plane between segments II/III, residual parenchymal resection is performed using the clamp crushing method. There are two difficulties concerning S2 segmentectomy. The first is encirclement of the G2 root without interfering with the G3. Compared with the conventional front view of the umbilical portion, the view behind the left lateral section contribute to easy confirmation and direct encircle of the G2 root without dividing the G3 and injuring LHV on the same plane. The second difficulty is that the boundary of the visible liver surface between segments II/III does not match the direction of the LHV. This can cause confusion to the operator aiming to perform precise inner parenchymal resection. Our procedure allows easy access to the LHV root and exposure of the peripheral directing hepatic vein. Hepatic vein-guided approaches will likely be helpful in precise performance of inner parts of liver resection.

Anatomical liver resection using the ultrasound-guided compression technique in minimal access surgery.

BACKGROUND: Segmental or subsegmental anatomical resection (AR) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in minimal access liver surgery (MALS) has been technically proposed. The Glissonean approach or dye injection technique are generally adopted. The tumor-feeding portal pedicle compression technique (C-AR) is an established approach in open surgery, but its feasibility in the MALS environment has never been described. METHODS: Eligible patients were prospectively enrolled to undergo laparoscopic or robotic ultrasound-guided C-AR based on HCC location and preoperative identification of a single tumor-feeding portal pedicle. Initial C-AR experience was gained with laparoscopic cases in the beginning of 2020. Following our progressive experience in laparoscopic C-AR, patients requiring AR for HCC were consecutively selected for robotic C-AR. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients underwent minimal access C-AR. All patients had Child-Pugh A HCC. The surgical procedures included 6 laparoscopic and 4 robotic C-AR. Median tumor size was 3.1 cm (range 2-7 cm). All procedures had R0 margin. Postoperative complications were nil. CONCLUSION: C-AR technique is a feasible and promising technique for patients eligible for laparoscopic and robotic AR for HCC. Further data are necessary to validate its applicability to more complex minimal access AR.

A multicenter propensity score analysis of significance of hepatic resection type for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The impact of hepatic resection type on long-term oncological prognosis of patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been systematically investigated. We sought to determine risk factors, recurrence patterns, and survival outcomes after anatomical resection (AR) versus non-anatomical resection (NAR) for early-stage HCC. METHODS: From a prospectively collected multicenter database, consecutive patients undergoing curative hepatectomy for early-stage HCC were identified. Recurrence patterns, overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and risk factors were investigated in patients undergoing AR versus NAR using propensity score matching (PSM), subgroup analysis, and COX regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 3585 patients with early-stage HCC were enrolled, including 1287 and 2298 in the AR and NAR groups, respectively. After PSM, the OS and RFS of patients in the AR group were 58.8% and 42.7%, which were higher than those in the NAR group (52.2% and 30.6%, both p < 0.01). The benefits of AR were consistent across most subgroup analyses of OS and RFS. Multivariable COX regression analysis showed that AR was independently associated with better OS and RFS. Notably, although recurrence patterns were comparable, the risk factors for recurrence were not identical for AR versus NAR. Microvascular invasion and narrow resection margin were only associated with a higher recurrence rate after NAR. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that AR decreases the risk of tumor recurrence and improves OS and RFS in patients with early-stage HCC. AR should be adopted as long as such a surgical maneuver is feasible for initial treatment of early-stage HCC.

Resection Margin Width Does Not Influence the Prognosis of Solitary Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Anatomic Resection: A Real-World Study from China.

Purpose: The influence of resection margin (RM) width on the prognosis of solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) following anatomical resection (AR) has yet to be determined. Therefore, we conducted a real-world study to identify the optimal RM width and assess its impact on the outcomes of solitary HCC patients undergoing AR. Methods: The data pertaining to patients diagnosed with solitary HCC who underwent AR between December 2012 and December 2015 were retrospectively collected. The optimal cutoff value for the width of the RM was determined using X-tile software. The Kaplan-Meier method was utilized to compare the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) between the narrow and wide RM groups. Additionally, propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to minimize potential bias in the data. Results: Of the 1033 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 293 (28.4%) were categorized into the narrow RM group (≤4 mm) and 740 (71.6%) into the wide RM group (> 4mm). Before and after PSM, there were no significant differences in OS and DFS between the two groups (before PSM: OS, HR=0.78, P=0.071; DFS, HR=0.95, P=0.620; after PSM: OS, HR=0.77, P=0.150; DFS, HR=0.90, P=0.470). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that RM width was not an independent risk factor for DFS and OS both before and after PSM (all P>0.05). However, subgroup analyses revealed that patients with ALBI grade 1, absence of cirrhosis, and AJCC stage II significantly benefited from wide RM in OS (all P< 0.05). Similarly, patients without HBV infection and absence of cirrhosis also exhibited significant benefits from wide RM in DFS (both P< 0.05). Conclusion: In patients with solitary HCC undergoing AR, the width of the RM does not appear to have a significant impact on their prognosis. However, in certain selected patients, a wider RM may confer benefits.

Multimodal prehabilitation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer undergoing anatomical resection: protocol of a non-randomised feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: The preoperative period can be used to enhance a patient's functional capacity with multimodal prehabilitation and consequently improve and fasten postoperative recovery. Especially, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) surgical patients may benefit from this intervention, since the affected and resected organ is an essential part of the cardiorespiratory fitness. Drafting a prehabilitation programme is challenging, since many disciplines are involved, and time between diagnosis of NSCLC and surgery is limited. We designed a multimodal prehabilitation programme prior to NSCLC surgery and aimed to conduct a study to assess feasibility and indicative evidence of efficacy of this programme. Publication of this protocol may help other healthcare facilities to implement such a programme. METHODS: The multimodal prehabilitation programme consists of an exercise programme, nutritional support, psychological support, smoking cessation, patient empowerment and respiratory optimisation. In two Dutch teaching hospitals, 40 adult patients with proven or suspected NSCLC will be included. In a non-randomised fashion, 20 patients follow the multimodal prehabilitation programme, and 20 will be assessed in the control group, according to patient preference. Assessments will take place at four time points: baseline, the week before surgery, 6 weeks postoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. Feasibility and indicative evidence of efficacy of the prehabilitation programme will be assessed as primary outcomes. DISCUSSION: Since the time between diagnosis of NSCLC and surgery is limited, it is a challenge to implement a prehabilitation programme. This study will assess whether this is feasible, and evidence of efficacy can be found. The non-randomised fashion of the study might result in a selection and confounding bias. However, the control group may help putting the results of the prehabilitation group in perspective. By publishing this protocol, we aim to facilitate others to evaluate and implement a multimodal prehabilitation programme for surgical NSCLC patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The current study is registered as NL8080 in the Netherlands Trial Register on the 10th of October 2019, https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/8080 . Secondary identifiers: CCMO (Central Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects) number NL70578.015.19, reference number of the Medical Ethical Review Committee of Máxima MC W19.045.

Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic anatomical resection of the right anterior pulmonary segment in a 10-year-old child with congenital pulmonary airway malformation.

Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is a very rare phenomenon subject to malignant transformation that requires surgical resection. In an asymptomatic 10-year-old girl, we identified a single cystic and consolidated lesion on computed tomography. This incidental finding was confined to anterior segment of lung in right upper lobe (RUL). Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) served to successfully achieve anterior segmentectomy, without chest tube placement. The surgical specimen confirmed features of CPAM, also showing acute and chronic inflammation with abscess formation. Once the surgical mainstay for such lesions, open lobectomy is now under challenge by thoracoscopic technique, port-reduction methods, and a lung-preserving strategy. Herein, we have shown uniportal VATS anatomical resection of right anterior pulmonary segment to be a viable option for a 10-year-old child with CPAM confined to a single lung segment.

Uniportal versus multiportal nonintubated thoracoscopic anatomical resection for lung cancer: A propensity-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: No studies have compared between uniportal and multiportal nonintubated thoracoscopic anatomical resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to compare short- and long-term postoperative outcomes concerning these two methods. METHODS: Our retrospective dataset comprised patients with NSCLC who underwent uniportal or multiportal nonintubated thoracoscopic anatomical resection between January 2011 and December 2019. The primary outcome was recurrence-free survival. Propensity scores were matched according to age, sex, body mass index, pulmonary function, tumor size, cancer stage, and surgical method. RESULTS: In total, 1130 such patients underwent nonintubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), and 490 consecutive patients with stage I-III NSCLC underwent nonintubated anatomical resection, including lobectomy and segmentectomy (uniportal, n = 158 [32.3%]; multiportal, n = 331 [67.7%]). The uniportal group had fewer dissected lymph nodes and lymph node stations. In paired group analysis, the uniportal group had shorter operation durations (99.8 vs. 138.2 min; P < 0.001), lower intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates and ICU admission intervals (7.0% vs. 27.8%; P < 0.001), and shorter postoperative hospital stays (4.1 days vs. 5.2 days; P < 0.001). The most common postoperative complication was prolonged air leaks. No surgical mortality was observed. The multiportal group had higher complication rates for grades ≥ II NSCLC; however, this difference was not significant (4.4% vs. 1.3%, respectively; P = 0.09). CONCLUSION: Nonintubated uniportal VATS for anatomical resection had better results for some perioperative outcomes than multiportal VATS. Oncological outcomes such as recurrence-free and overall survival remained uncompromised, despite fewer dissected lymph nodes.

Middle Hepatic Vein-Guided Cranial and Hilar Approach Using a Modified Two-Surgeon Technique in Laparoscopic Extended Left Medial Sectionectomy: A Technical Case Report With Videos.

Anatomical liver resection and liver resection close to major blood vessels are quite challenging and require a high level of expertise. In addition, anatomical hepatectomy requires extensive knowledge of the positions of blood vessels and techniques for hemostasis because the resection surface is extensive and operations around blood vessels are required. A hepatic vein-guided cranial and hilar approach using a modified "two-surgeon technique" is effective in resolving these problems. Herein, we present a middle hepatic vein (MHV)-guided cranial and hilar approach using a modified two-surgeon technique in laparoscopic extended left medial sectionectomy to resolve these problems. This procedure is feasible and effective.

The Comparison of Surgical Margins and Type of Hepatic Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Microvascular Invasion.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of surgical margin and hepatic resection on prognosis and compare their importance on prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: The clinical data of 906 patients with HCC who underwent hepatic resection in our hospital from January 2013 to January 2015 were collected retrospectively. All patients were divided into anatomical resection (AR) (n = 234) and nonanatomical resection (NAR) group (n = 672) according to type of hepatic resection. The effects of AR and NAR and wide and narrow margins on overall survival (OS) and time to recurrence (TTR) were analyzed. RESULTS: In all patients, narrow margin (1.560, 1.278-1.904; 1.387, 1.174-1.639) is an independent risk factor for OS and TTR, and NAR is not. Subgroup analysis showed that narrow margins (2.307, 1.699-3.132; 1.884, 1.439-2.468), and NAR (1.481, 1.047-2.095; 1.372, 1.012-1.860) are independent risk factors for OS and TTR in patients with microvascular invasion (MVI)-positive. Further analysis showed that for patients with MVI-positive HCC, NAR with wide margins was a protective factor for OS and TTR compared to AR with narrow margins (0.618, 0.396-0.965; 0.662, 0.448-0.978). The 1, 3, and 5 years OS and TTR rate of the two group were 81%, 49%, 29% versus 89%, 64%, 49% (P = .008) and 42%, 79%, 89% versus 32%, 58%, 74% (P = .024), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with MVI-positive HCC, AR and wide margins were protective factors for prognosis. However, wide margins are more important than AR on prognosis. In the clinical setting, if the wide margins and AR cannot be ensured at the same time, the wide margins should be ensured first.

Surgical outcome of ipsilateral anatomical resection for lung cancer after pulmonary lobectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Ipsilateral reoperation after pulmonary lobectomy is often challenging because of adhesions from the previous operation. We retrospectively examined the surgical outcome and prognosis of ipsilateral anatomical resection for lung cancer after pulmonary lobectomy using a multicentre database. METHODS: We evaluated the perioperative outcomes and overall survival of 51 patients who underwent pulmonary lobectomy followed by ipsilateral anatomical resection for lung cancer between January 2012 and December 2018. In addition, patients with stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were compared with 3411 patients with stage I lung cancer who underwent pulmonary resection without a prior ipsilateral lobectomy. RESULTS: Ipsilateral anatomical resections included 10 completion pneumonectomies, 19 pulmonary lobectomies and 22 pulmonary segmentectomies. Operative time was 312.2 ± 134.5 min, and intraoperative bleeding was 522.2 ± 797.5 ml. Intraoperative and postoperative complications occurred in 9 and 15 patients, respectively. However, the 5-year overall survival rate after anatomical resection followed by ipsilateral lobectomy was 83.5%. Furthermore, in patients with c-stage I NSCLC, anatomical resection followed by ipsilateral lobectomy was not associated with worse survival than anatomical resection without prior ipsilateral lobectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomical resection following ipsilateral lobectomy is associated with a high frequency of intraoperative and postoperative complications. However, the 5-year overall survival in patients with c-stage I NSCLC who underwent ipsilateral anatomical resection after pulmonary lobectomy is comparable to that in patients who underwent anatomical resection without prior pulmonary lobectomy.

Independent of the preoperative coronal deformity, adjusted mechanical alignment leads in a high percentage to non-anatomical tibial and femoral bone cuts.

PURPOSE: The technique of adjusted mechanical alignment (AMA) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been described to achieve alignment and balancing goals in varus knees in a high percentage, albeit at the price of non-anatomical bone cuts. The purpose of this study was to analyze (1) whether AMA achieves similar alignment and balancing results in different types of deformity and (2) whether they can be achieved without altering the native anatomy. METHODS: A series of 1000 patients with hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angles from 165° to 195° were analyzed. All patients were operated using AMA technique. According to the preoperative HKA angle, three groups of knee phenotypes (varus, straight, valgus) were defined. The bone cuts were analyzed for being anatomic (< 2 mm deviation of individual joint surface) or non-anatomic (> 4 mm deviation of individual joint surface). RESULTS: AMA reached the goals for postoperative HKA in over 93% in every group (varus: 636 cases, 94%, straight: 191 cases, 98%, valgus: 123 cases, 98%). In 0° extension, the gaps were balanced in varus knees in 654 cases (96%), in straight knees in 189 cases (97%) and in valgus knees in 117 cases (94%). A balanced flexion gap was found in a similar number of cases (varus: 657 cases, 97%, straight: 191 cases, 98%, valgus: 119 cases, 95%). In the varus group, non-anatomical cuts were performed at the medial tibia (89%) and the lateral posterior femur (59%). The straight group showed similar values and distribution for non-anatomical cuts (medial tibia: 73%; lateral posterior femur 58%). Valgus knees showed a different distribution of values, being non-anatomical at the lateral tibia (74%), distal lateral femur (67%) and posterior lateral femur (43%). CONCLUSION: In all knee phenotypes, the AMA goals were achieved in a high percentage by altering the patients' native anatomy. In varus knees, the alignment was corrected by non-anatomical cuts at the medial tibia, and in valgus knees at the lateral tibia and the lateral distal femur. All phenotypes showed non-anatomical resections on the posterior lateral condyle in approximately 50% of cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Anatomical liver resection improves surgical outcomes for combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma: A propensity score matched study.

Background: The efficacies of anatomical resection (AR) and non-anatomical resection (NAR) in the treatment of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA) remain unclear. This study aimed to compare the prognostic outcomes of AR with those of NAR for cHCC-CCA. Method: Patients diagnosed with pathology-confirmed cHCC-CCA, and who underwent curative resection at Tongji hospital between January 2010 and December 2019 were included in this retrospective study. A one-to-one propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was used to compare the long-term outcomes of AR to those of NAR. Results: A total of 105 patients were analyzed, of whom 48 (45.7%) and 57 (54.3%) underwent AR and NAR, respectively. There were no significant differences in short-term outcomes between the two groups, including duration of postoperative hospital stay, the incidence of perioperative complications, and incidence of 30-day mortality. However, both, the 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates of AR were significantly better than those of NAR (40.5% vs. 22.4%, P=0.002; and 37.3% vs. 14.4%, P=0.002, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that NAR, multiple tumors, larger-sized tumors (>5 cm), cirrhosis, lymph node metastasis, and vascular invasion were independent risk factors for poor prognoses. Stratified analysis demonstrated similar outcomes following AR versus NAR for patients with tumors > 5cm in diameter, while AR had better survival than NAR in patients with tumors ≤5 cm in diameter. After PSM, when 34 patients from each group were matched, the 5-year OS and RFS rates of AR were still better than those of NAR. Conclusion: Patients with cHCC-CCA who underwent AR had better long-term surgical outcomes than those who underwent NAR, especially for those with tumors ≤5 cm in diameter. However, no differences in the risk of surgical complications were detected between the two groups.

Prospective validation to prevent symptomatic portal vein thrombosis after liver resection.

BACKGROUND: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after liver resection is rare but can lead to life-threatening liver failure. This prospective study evaluated patients using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (E-CT) on the first day after liver resection for early PVT detection and management. AIM: To evaluate patients by E-CT on the first day after liver resection for early PVT detection and immediate management. METHODS: Patients who underwent liver resection for primary liver cancer from January 2015 were enrolled. E-CT was performed on the first day after surgery in patients undergoing anatomical resection, multiple resections, or with postoperative bile leakage in the high-risk group for PVT. When PVT was detected, anticoagulant therapy including heparin, warfarin, and edoxaban was administered. E-CT was performed monthly until PVT resolved. RESULTS: The overall incidence of PVT was 1.57% (8/508). E-CT was performed on the first day after surgery in 235 consecutive high-risk patients (165 anatomical resections, 74 multiple resections, and 28 bile leakages), with a PVT incidence of 3.4% (8/235). Symptomatic PVT was not observed in the excluded cohort. Multivariate analyses revealed that sectionectomy was the only independent predictor of PVT [odds ratio (OR) = 12.20; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.22-115.97; P = 0.003]. PVT was found in the umbilical portion of 75.0% (6/8) of patients, and sectionectomy on the left side showed the highest risk of PVT (OR = 14.10; 95%CI: 3.17-62.71; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Sectionectomy on the left side should be chosen with caution as it showed the highest risk of PVT. E-CT followed by anticoagulant therapy was effective in managing early-phase PVT for 2 mo without adverse events.

Laparoscopic radical hepatectomy and lymphadenectomy for incidental gallbladder cancer. Surgical technique with ICG fluorescence enhancement.

BACKGROUND: Radical re-resection has been demonstrated beneficial in incidental gallbladder cancer (iGBC) stages ≥ pT1b [1]. Anatomical resection (AR) of segments IVb-V is recommended, particularly for iGBC and liver-sided tumors [2]. Laparoscopically, this is a challenging procedure, as well as the regional lymphadenectomy, since inflammation from previous surgery can hinder identification of extrahepatic bile ducts. This difficult minimally invasive procedure, facilitated with indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence enhancement [3] is herein didactically demonstrated. METHODS: A 73 y. o. female patient underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis. An iGBC -pT2b with positive cystic node-was found. Completion radical surgery was decided. Before surgery, 1.5mg of ICG was intravenously administered. A regional lymphadenectomy (stations 5-8-9-12-13) was safely performed: ICG allowed for bile duct visualization despite scarring from previous procedure. AR (IVb-V) was performed based on a glissonian-pedicle approach. After completing the procedure, a new dose of ICG was administered to discard ischemic areas in the remnant. RESULTS: Total operative time was 359 min. Intermittent Pringle maneuver resulted in <50 ml bleeding. Hospital stay was 3 days. Pathological examination revealed no residual tumor in the liver bed. Ten lymph nodes were resected; 3 of them (2 retroportal and 1 common hepatic artery) showing tumoral invasion. After surgery, 6 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy (Gemcitabine-Oxaliplatin) was administered. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic radical surgery (AR of segments IVb-V plus regional lymphadenectomy) for iGBC is feasible and safe [4]. ICG fluorescence can be of help to identify hilar structures and rule out areas of ischemia.

Identification of resection plane for anatomical liver resection using ultrasonography-guided needle insertion.

Purposes: To set up an easy-handled and precise delineation of resection plane for hepatic anatomical resection (AR). Methods: Cases of AR using ultrasonography-guided needle insertion to trace the target hepatic vein for delineation of resection planes [new technique (NT) group, n = 22] were retrospectively compared with those without implementation of this surgical technique [traditional technique (TT) group, n = 29] in terms of perioperative courses and surgical outcomes. Results: The target hepatic vein was successfully exposed in all patients of the NT group, compared with a success rate of 79.3% in the TT group (P < 0.05). The average operation time and intraoperative blood loss were 280 ± 32 min and 550 ± 65 ml, respectively, in the NT group. No blood transfusion was required in either group. The postoperative morbidities (bile leakage and peritoneal effusion) were similar between groups. No mortality within 90 days was observed. Conclusions: Ultrasonography-guided needle insertion is a convenient, safe and efficient surgical approach to define a resection plane for conducting AR.