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Journal of Minimal Access Surgery, Vol. 1, No. 3, July-September, 2005, pp. 99-109 Review Articles Laparoscopic liver resections Cuschieri Alfred Professor of Surgery, Scuola Superiore di Studi Universitari,
Pisa Code Number: ma05020 Abstract Though still practiced in only a few centres worldwide, laparoscopic liver resections, particularly left hepatectomy offer advantages over the conventional open approach in two important respects: reduced operative blood loss and lower major postoperative morbidity. Two approaches are used: the totally laparoscopic and the hand-assisted technique, which in the author's opinion facilitates both the execution and safety of these procedures, especially major resection of the right liver (right hepatectomy and pluri-segmentectomies). Technologies, which have enabled hepatic resections include: laparoscopic contact ultrasound, linear cutting staplers, ultrasonic dissection, LigaSure and TissueLink. The components operative steps necessary for these resections as practised by the author are described in this review.Keywords: hepatic tumour; laparoscopy; liver resection Although laparoscopic staging for intra-abdominal cancer including primary and secondary hepatic tumours has been in established practice for many years, laparoscopic liver resections are still in the early clinical evaluation stage and largely confined to major centres with expertise in hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery. Nonetheless, the results to date have been uniformly favourable especially for left lobectomy and pluri-segmentectomies although right hepatectomy has been performed by the laparoscopically assisted or the hand-assisted laparoscopic surgical (HALS) approach.[1],[2],[3],[4],[5],[6],[7],[8],[9],[10],[11],[12],[13],[14],[15],[16],[17],[18]The benefits commonly reported thus far include reduced blood loss, smoother postoperative period in patients with liver disease and a shorter postoperative hospital stay. Laparoscopic left lateral lobectomy (bi-segmentectomy 2-3) for tumours can be performed with relative ease and safety. In a recent case-control study,[14] 60 such laparoscopic resections using ultrasonic dissection, linear staplers, and portal pedicle clamping (when necessary) were compared with patients who underwent open left lateral lobectomies matched and selected from a liver resection database of open resections. Both groups were similar (age, type and size of the tumour presence of underlying liver disease). The findings of this study confirmed that compared to equivalent open hepatic resections, laparoscopic left lobectomies incurred a longer surgical time and longer portal triad clamping (39 vs 23 min), but were associated with decreased blood loss. There were no deaths in either group; and the morbidity rates were comparable (11% in the laparoscopic and 15% in the open group). There were no major postoperative complications of hepatic resection (haemorrhage, subphrenic collection or biliary leak) after laparoscopic resections, but some were observed in the open hepatic resections. The HALS approach by facilitating these dissections and greatly increasing the safety (particularly in the ability for immediate control of major bleeding) will make quite a big difference to the uptake amongst hepato-biliary and general surgeons with an interest in liver surgery. [15],[16],[17],[18]The procedures, which are in established practice by the laparoscopic and HALS approach are:
Whatever the procedure and irrespective of the approach, the safe execution demands (i) equivalent experience in open hepato-biliary surgery, (ii) expert knowledge of the surgical anatomy of the liver, (iii) familiarization with the safe use of ablative technologies and other energized equipment and (iv) good experienced operating team in a dedicated operating room. This review focuses on laparoscopic staging of hepatic tumours and on hepatic resections based on past experience of the author and on a literature review. The emphasis throughout the review is on practical operative issues relevant to these procedures. Laparoscopic staging of tumours The ability of visual inspection laparoscopy to assess resectability (as opposed to inoperability) remains relatively low.[19] It can be improved by extended laparoscopy combined with laparoscopic contact ultrasonography. [20],[21],[22]The technique of extended laparoscopy consists of full inspection of the peritoneal cavity, liver (with contact laparoscopic ultrasound scanning), entry and inspection of lesser sac, examination of porta hepatis, duodenum, transverse mesocolon, and coeliac and portal vessels. This procedure thus entails extensive dissection and is used to assess operability in patients with pancreatic cancer, hepatic neoplasms and gastroesophageal cancers where it often entails lymph node sampling. The value of extended laparoscopic was confirmed in a large study from the Memorial Sloane Kettering Hospital on 115 patients with radiologically resectable peripancreatic tumours. In every instance, the procedure was undertaken immediately before a planned curative resection. In 108 patients in whom a completed extended laparoscopy was performed, 67 were judged to have resectable disease, and 61 of these underwent resection of the cancer (91%). Extended laparoscopy had a failure rate of 9% (missed hepatic metastases in five patients and portal venous encasement in one patient). Overt unresectable disease was identified in 38% (41 patients). The data from this study indicate that extended laparoscopy for pancreatic cancer carries:
The value of hepatic contact ultrasonography (open and laparoscopic) in the detection of secondary deposits has been documented by several studies including one prospective blinded comparison with preoperative contrast enhanced CT in 77 consecutive patients suffering from colorectal cancer undergoing curative (63 patients) or palliative (14 patients) resections. The patients undergoing curative surgery were randomized to either laparoscopic (34 patients) or conventional open surgery (29 patients) resection. All contact ultrasonographic studies (open and laparoscopic) were performed by two radiologists who were blinded to the CT results. Both laparoscopic contact ultrasonography and CT were negative in 56% (43 patients) and 37 had metastatic disease detected by the three modalities (preop CT, laparoscopic contact ultrasonography, open contact ultrasonography with bimanual palpation). Both open intraoperative contact ultrasonography with bimanual liver palpation and laparoscopic ultrasonography identified hepatic deposits in two patients with negative preoperative contrast-enhanced CT. Hepatic resections Approaches Assisting hand in HALS The author finds it useful during certain phases of the operation to have the assistant on the opposite side of the operating table and to insert his right hand internally for retraction. This enables the surgeon to use a two-hand dissection with extracorporeal instruments (more convenient for certain tasks) and gives the surgeon a rest from the lordotic position of the spine imposed by the internal hand being a lower plane that the external one. The size and type of ports selected will depend on the instrumentation and type of dissection used (curved coaxial instruments, ultrasonic dissection, cutting LigaSure Atlas, TissueLink, etc.) Probably, the best compromise for a high-handed surgeon is an 11.0 mm right operating port (to enable use of ultrasonic dissection or LigaSure) and a left 5.5 mm flexible port. Selection of patients for the HALS approach and safety precautions
during the operations
In practice this limits the maximal size of tumour-containing liver resection specimen to 10-cm diameter, i.e. 8.0 cm maximal tumour size. This sensible restriction ensures that the patient obtains all the benefits of the endoscopic approach without compromising cure rate or enhancing the risk of dissemination and loco-regional recurrence. With this restriction all hepatic resections can be carried out by the HALS approach: hepatectomy (right and left, pluri-segmentectomies and bi-/uni-segmentectomies). It is important that the actual hepatic transection by whatever means is performed without positive pressure CO2 capnoperitoneum to avoid the risk of CO2 embolism through the main hepatic veins. Hence once inflow devascularization of the intended resection is achieved, the CO2 insufflation is stopped and in the case of HALS, the hand access device is removed and replaced by a disposable retractor, which also acts as a wound protector [Figure - 1] for the actual hepatic resection. Component tasks in laparoscopic/HALS hepatic resections Contact ultrasound localization and mapping of the intended resection In contrast, the mapping of the outlines of the resection is best carried out by the argon plasma spray coagulation. The index finger of the internal assisting hand [Figure - 3]A is placed over the centre of the lesion and used to depress the liver whilst the limits of the pluri-segmentectomy (in this case) are outlined on the anterosuperior surface of the liver [Figure - 3]A, B. Thereafter the internal hand is used to expose the inferior surface of the liver to complete the marking of the intended hepatic resection. Division of falciform ligament, exposure of the suprahepatic vena cava and of the main hepatic veins Exposure of suprahepatic inferior vena cava and main hepatic veins The peritoneal division is extended in both directions to open up the retrohepatic caval space, which consists of relatively avascular loose fibroareolar tissue, and hence most of the dissection is best carried out by the curve coaxial scissors with soft electrocoagulation when needed. The upper end of the caval canal is opened further with a combination of blunt (closed blades) and sharp scissor dissection to divide fibrous bands. As the scissors dissection proceeds, about 1.5 cm of the inferior vena cava, which appears white [Figure - 6]A, B and the origin of the right hepatic vein are exposed. Further exposure of the right and middle hepatic veins is achieved form beneath the liver and from the right side (required fro a right hepatectomy). The left hepatic vein is very easily exposed from the left side above the liver. Exposure of infrahepatic inferior vena cava and clipping/division of the posterior minor hepatic veins At this stage, the retractor is replaced by the internal assisting hand, which gently lifts the infero-posterior aspect of the liver upwards to expose the areolar tissue plane covering the vena cava and the minor retrohepatic veins which vary in number from 3 to 5. The infero-posterior aspect of the liver is lifted gently but progressively with the back of the fingers of the internal assisting hand to expose the vena cava behind the liver. As minor hepatic veins are encountered draining into the inferior vena cava, they are skeletonized by the curved coaxial scissors and then clipped before they are divided. The mobilization continues upwards until the right and middle hepatic vein (often one trunk at the origin) is reached. Opening the cave of Retius Hilar dissection Detachment of the gallbladder The cystic artery is simply doubly clipped at either end before it is divided with scissors [Figure - 13]. Inflow occlusion prior to hepatic resection The parallel occlusion clamp is introduced from the right by means of the dedicated applicator. The jaws are opened as the hepato-duodenal ligament is reached [Figure - 14]A, B and applied across the full width of the hepato-duodenal ligament and then released to occlude the bile duct, portal vein and hepatic arteries. It is extremely important that the period of inflow vascular occlusion to the liver does not exceed 30 min at any one-time period. For removal of the clamp, the introducer is inserted through the port and used to engage the clamp, which is then opened and removed the same port by the introducer. Transection of the hepatic parenchyma The hepatic artery to the resection area is best secured by clips or ligatures in the liver substance rather than extra-hepatically. The vascular stapling or ligature and division of the main hepatic veins draining the liver during hepatectomy (right or left) are carried out at the end of the parenchymal transection. The actual technique of liver resection varies from simple finger/forceps fracture with individual clipping/ligature of bile ductules to used of energized systems (Ultrasonic dissection, TissueLink, LigaSure-Atlas). Especially with the HALS approach, the author′s preference is for the traditional liver fracture technique. The liver parenchymal surface is first coagulated [Figure - 15]A and then crushed using a long-jawed crushing laparoscopic forceps to fracture the liver parenchyma [Figure - 15]B, C exposing sizeable vessels and ducts [Figure - 15]D. All sizeable blood vessels and bile ducts are clipped before being cut [Figure - 15]D. As the cleft deepens, bands of liver tissue, which are not severed are presumed to contain large vessels which may be obscured by adherent layer of liver parenchyma. In this situation, palpation of the bridge between the index finger and thumb of the assisting hand will identify the nature of the structure [Figure - 16]. All sizeable veins are best staple transected using an endolinear cutting stapler mounted with 35 mm vascular cartridge introduced through the mini-laparotomy wound [Figure - 17]A-D. In the case of pluri-segmentectomy, after the segment has been separated on three sides, it often remains attached to the liver by bridge of liver tissue [Figure18]A. If this connection is no thicker than 1.0 cm, it is simply staple transected by the application of the endolinear cutting stapler [Figure - 18]B, C to detach completely the area from the liver. Essentially the same fracture technique of transection of the liver parenchyma is used for right and left hepatectomy [Figure - 19]A-D. The coaxial curved duckbill forceps is very useful for getting round large veins in the depths of the transection cleft prior to clipping or ligature. It may be difficult because of insufficient space to use staplers in this situation especially as the diaphragm is approached. When the resection is completed, the specimen is removed through the open mini-laparotomy wound. The final stage consists in securing complete haemostasis. Haemostasis of the cut liver surface There is no risk attached to any long use of the argon plasma spray coagulation as the wound is open and there is no positive pressure. The technique of argon plasma coagulation of the liver substance is important. In the first instance the tip of the probe should be held a few mm from the liver surface and must not touch the liver such that the plasma jet is clearly seen [Figure - 20]A. The plasma jet has a tendency to move away from dried up areas to wet (oozy) areas. Thus care must be taken to avoid the plasma from straying to important structures near to the liver. The plasma spray coagulation should start ate the bottom of the transected liver substance and then proceed upwards [Figure - 20]B. Once the entire surface is coagulated, it is covered by fibrin glue or an alternative synthetic sealant [Figure - 21]. Insertion of silicon drains Postoperative management The management is the same as after open surgery with daily monitoring of the liver functions tests, haematology and blood urea nitrogen and serum electrolytes. Opiate medication and sedation are avoided in patients with compromised liver function, e.g. Childs C disease. An ultrasound scan should be carried out in all patients after hepatic resection at 48 h. This is necessary to identify early fluid collections (most usually bile), which if found are monitored by serial ultrasound studies and aspirated or drained percutaneously under radiological control if persistent. Fluids are started the next day and most patients should be on oral diet 24 h after the intervention. The abdominal drains are removed on the third day if dry or producing only a small amount of serous fluid. The stay in hospital depends on the state of the liver function and the extent of the resection. Undoubtedly, however, these patients recover more quickly in terms of hospital stay and period of short-term disability than after open hepatic resections. Conclusions With the right technique, necessary expertise and appropriate technology, laparoscopic and especially HALS hepatic resections for tumours (primary and secondary carcinomas) can be carried out safely. The data from the published reports to date indicate benefits over the open approach and these include reduced blood loss and lower postoperative morbidity. In the author′s opinion all major resections are carried more expeditiously with increased safety and less stress to the surgeon and the operating team by the HALS approach[23].References
Copyright 2005 - Journal of Minimal Access Surgery The following images related to this document are available:Photo images[ma05020f17.jpg] [ma05020f4.jpg] [ma05020f20.jpg] [ma05020f18.jpg] [ma05020f21.jpg] [ma05020f2.jpg] [ma05020f14.jpg] [ma05020f1.jpg] [ma05020f22.jpg] [ma05020f13.jpg] [ma05020f16.jpg] [ma05020f9.jpg] [ma05020f10.jpg] [ma05020f11.jpg] [ma05020f3.jpg] [ma05020f6.jpg] [ma05020f15.jpg] [ma05020f5.jpg] [ma05020f19.jpg] [ma05020f7.jpg] [ma05020f12.jpg] [ma05020f8.jpg] |
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