Feasibility of totally laparoscopic hemi-hepatectomies for liver tumor, with consideration of correspondence for difficult cases

Introduction

Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) has been recognized as a minimally invasive surgery offering disease curability for liver tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Moreover, recent publications suggest that systematic liver resections including hemi-hepatectomies have been performed safely in high volume centers^[1-5]. However, technical standardization of laparoscopic major hepatectomies has remained varied, depending on each institution, and has not been well established.

Surgical indication of laparoscopic approach for liver resection should be decided by patient’s factors, and it should also be expanded based on the ability of each surgical unit. We introduced laparoscopic liver resection in 1993 with stringent patient selection^[6] and have applied laparoscopic major hepatectomies since 2006 by using a hybrid technique^[7]. Thereafter, the totally laparoscopic approach for major hepatectomies has been performed since 2008.

In this paper, we describe our indication, standardized technique, and surgical outcome of TLHHs. Moreover, we hypothesize that TLHHs can be performed feasibly, as well as discuss the technical correspondence of technically difficult cases which have marginal indication for TLHHs.

Methods

From September 2008 to July 2020, in total, 222 LLRs including 21 TLHHs for liver tumors were performed at Toho University Omori Medical Center. Perioperative data from patient record were collected retrospectively, as approved by the institutional ethical committee of Toho University Omori Medical Center (ID number M19056).

Operative procedure of pure laparoscopic hemi-hepatectomies

Our standardized procedures for PLHH are as follows.

The patient was placed in left hemi-lateral decubitus position on right hemi-hepatectomy, and in supine position on left hemi-hepatectomy. Surgeon stood on the right side of the patient and the first assistant and scopist stood on the left side of the abdomen.

First, the laparoscope was inserted at the periumbilicus, and pneumoperitoneum was created. 4 other trocars were placed, on both sides of the abdomen, right hypochondrium, and epigastrium in both right and left hemi-hepatectomy [Figure 1].

Figure 1. Trocar placement and skin incision in totally laparoscopic hemi-hepatectomies

The liver was scanned by laparoscopic flexible probe of ultrasound system through a 12-mm trocar at right hypochondrium. Disease was confirmed by B-mode and contrast enhancement mode. Intra-hepatic structures and relation to disease were also visualized.

After conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the hepatoduodenal ligament was encircled by tape. Furthermore, an extracorporeal Rumel tourniquet for Pringle’s maneuver was made using catheter on left hypochondrium [Figure 2].

Figure 2. Extra corporeal Pringle’s tourniquet

For hepatic inflow control, we usually performed individual isolation technique for hepatic inflow vessels. The hepatic hilar dissection was performed. The anterior and posterior branch of the right hepatic artery in right hemi-hepatectomy and the left and the middle hepatic artery in left hemi-hepatectomy were isolated and taped. With retraction of these arteries, the right or left portal vein was dissected and isolated by tape [Figure 3A and B].

Figure 3. Dissection of hepatic hilum using individual isolation approach: (A) hepatic hilar dissection in the right hemi-hepatectomy; and (B) hepatic hilar dissection in the left hemi-hepatectomy

These hepatic inflow vessels were temporarily occluded individually in order to confirm the ischemic area appeared on the liver surface. After that, the hepatic artery was doubly clipped and divided. The right or left portal vein was also doubly clipped and divided, or occasionally divided by a stapling device when the length of portal veins was long enough to insert the stapling device [Figure 4A and B].

Figure 4. Division of inflow vessels: (A) division of the right portal vein using stapling device in the right hemi-hepatectomy; and (B) division of the left hepatic artery in the left hemi-hepatectomy

Division of portal vein was occasionally performed after the liver parenchyma was divided and the hepatic hilus was opened.

Using electrocautery, a demarcation line was scored on the liver surface after division of hepatic inflow. After the inflow occlusion of the hemi-liver, the right or left liver was mobilized from the coronary ligament and the right or left triangular ligament using a bipolar sealing device.

In the right hemi-hepatectomy, the right adrenal gland was dissected from the liver and the IVC. Short hepatic veins were clipped and divided in front of the IVC. Once the root of the right or left hepatic vein was well visualized, mobilization was completed [Figure 5A and B].

Figure 5. Mobilization of the liver: (A) mobilization of the right liver with dissection of veins from the inferior vena cava; and (B) mobilization of the left liver with dissection of surrounding ligaments

Hepatic parenchymal transection was started along the demarcation line by using ultrasonic shears on superficial layer of the liver. Intra-abdominal pressure was maintained around 10 mmHg during the entire procedure. With intermittent Pringle’s maneuver, the deep liver tissue was divided using a CUSA or clamp crushing method by the bipolar sealing device. Intrahepatic vessels were meticulously exposed. Direction of parenchymal transection could usually be done from peripheral side to cranial side exposing the middle hepatic vein, with sufficient visualization of both sides of transection plane [Figure 6A and B].

Figure 6. Transection of liver parenchyma: (A) hepatic parenchymal transection using a Cavitoron ultrasonic surgical aspirator in the right hemi-hepatectomy; and (B) hepatic parenchymal transection using a Cavitoron ultrasonic surgical aspirator in the left hemi-hepatectomy

Small vessels, such as Glissonean sheath less than 1 mm or hepatic veins less than 3 mm, were sealed and divided by the bipolar sealing device. Large vessels were clipped and divided.

Branches of the middle hepatic vein, including veins from segments 5 and 8 in the right hemi-hepatectomy or veins from segment 4 in the left hemi-hepatectomy, were carefully isolated, clipped, and divided. The middle hepatic vein was well exposed on the resection plane.

The right hepatic duct was isolated by vessel tape, and it was divided using clips or the stapling device when the length of the hepatic duct was distally enough from the bifurcation of the right and left hepatic ducts [Figure 7A and B].

Figure 7. Isolation and division of the hepatic duct: (A) isolation of the right hepatic duct in the right hemi-hepatectomy; and (B) division of the left hepatic duct using stapling device in the left hemi-hepatectomy

The confluence of the right or left hepatic vein was taped and retracted to the lateral side of the abdomen in order to insert the stapling device safely [Figure 8A and B].

Figure 8. Division of the hepatic veins: (A) division of the right hepatic vein using stapling device; and (B) division of the left hepatic vein using stapling device

Finally, the right or left hepatic vein was divided, and the hemi-hepatectomy was completed [Figure 9A and B].

Figure 9. Resection planes of totally laparoscopic hemi-hepatectomies: (A) completion of the right hemi-hepatectomy; and (B) completion of the left hemi-hepatectomy

The specimen was placed in a plastic bag along with the gallbladder and retrieved from the abdominal cavity through a suprapubic incision, usually 5-8 cm in length. Once the hemostasis of the resection plane was achieved, two closed suction drains were placed into the Winslow’s fossa and subphrenic space. Then, the abdomen was closed.

Results

During this study period, 488 liver resections were performed in our institution, including 222 cases of laparoscopic liver resection and 266 cases of open liver resection. In laparoscopic liver resections, 94 cases were anatomical hepatectomies and 128 cases were non-anatomical partial hepatectomies. In open liver resections, 195 cases were anatomical hepatectomies and 71 cases were non-anatomical partial hepatectomies. In laparoscopic anatomical liver resections, 31 cases were major liver resections, which remove more than three segments defined by Couinaud’s classification, including 25 TLHHs. In 25 TLHHs, 21 cases were performed for liver tumors, while four cases were for hepatolithiasis. In open anatomical hepatectomies, 73 cases were major hepatectomies including 69 hemi-hepatectomies.

The 21 laparoscopic hemi-hepatectomies comprise 13 right hemi-hepatectomies and 8 left hemi-hepatectomies. They were performed for primary or metastatic liver disease, including nine for HCC, four for colorectal cancer metastasis, three for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), and five for benign to low grade malignancy liver tumors [Table 1].

Among these cases, 10 patients were considered as DIG, of which four cases had a tumor larger than 70 mm (80-120 mm), three patients had tumor located adjacent to the confluences of major hepatic veins, one had tumor invading the right adrenal gland, one suspicion of tumor invading to the right diaphragm, and one suspicion of tumor invading the retroperitoneum. Another 11 patients were classified as FIG.

In the comparison of backgrounds of patients, there was no significant difference between FIG and DIG patients’ age, gender distribution, BMI, presence of chronic liver disease, Child-Pugh score, and ICGR15. PLHH procedure, tumor-number, tumor-size, and distribution of tumor etiology, such as HCC, ICC, metastatic liver cancer, and benign to low grade malignant tumors, were not significantly different between the 2 groups [Table 2].

In the comparison of operative outcome, there was no significant deference in operative duration, estimated blood loss, requirement of transfusion, conversion to open surgery, postoperative morbidity, postoperative hospitalization, and postoperative mortality. Median value of operative durations in FIG and DIG were 586.0 (355-749) min and 625.5 (240-768) min, respectively. Estimated blood loss in FIG and DIG were 290.0 (10-1060) cc and 357.5 (50-2683) cc, respectively. One conversion to hybrid technique with small laparotomy was observed in a case of a right hemi-hepatectomy in DIG, due to hemorrhage from dense adhesion on the retroperitoneum, which was suspected but negative for tumor invasion. Postoperative morbidity was found in two (18.2%) in FIG, while organ/space surgical site infection (SSI) in one and bile leakage in one. In DIG, three patients (30%) experienced postoperative morbidity, including superficial SSI in one, bile leakage in one, and thrombus in portal vein in one. These complications were all treated by conservative treatment without surgical interventions, and no postoperative complication beyond Clavien-Dindo grade IIIb was found. Postoperative hospitalization was 9 (6-25) days in FIG and 13 (7-45) days in DIG. No mortality was found in either group [Table 3].

Regarding the correspondence to difficulty in DIG, we describe technical details of the issues.

For the tumor larger than 7 cm, mobilization of hemi-liver was not possible prior to liver parenchymal transection. For this issue, obtaining operative abdominal space and visualization of hepatic hilum was important. In all four cases of large tumor, hepatic hilar dissection was successful to isolate hepatic inflow vessels. After the demarcation line appeared on the liver surface by inflow occlusion, liver transection was performed. As the transection deepened, hepatic hilum could be widely opened. Inflow vessels and bile duct were divided using clips or stapling device. After the completion of liver transection and division of hepatic veins, mobilization of removed hemi-liver was accomplished [Figure 10A-D].

Figure 10. Totally laparoscopic hemi-hepatectomy of left liver for large tumor. (A) A CT scan showed a hepatocellular carcinoma 12 cm in diameter, mainly located in left lateral section involving umbilical portion. There were several daughter nodules in segment 4; (B) due to the large tumor, left subphrenic space was not well visualized, but orientation of the hepatic hilar portion was preserved. After the individual isolation of the left and middle hepatic artery and the left portal vein, hepatic parenchyma was transected, prior to the mobilization of the left liver; (C) parenchymal transection allowed to tract the left liver to the caudal side; we put an additional trocar on the most cranial side of epigastrium. This was quite helpful for the division of the left triangle ligament; (D) the confluence of the left hepatic vein was also encircled by tape and divided using stapling device

For cases of tumor located adjacent to the confluences of major hepatic veins, full mobilization of hemi-liver was the most important first step. Especially, liver mobilization should be achieved by devascularization of the half of removal side on the anterior wall of the IVC with division of short hepatic veins. For the approach to the confluences of major hepatic veins, an additional trocar was placed at the highest portion of epigastrium. Then, the confluence of the removed hepatic vein was carefully dissected by brunt dissection from both anterior and posterior side walls of the hepatic vein. If the confluence of the hepatic vein was skeletonized, vessel tape was encircled around the hepatic vein extrahepatically. Once the hepatic parenchymal transection was completed, confluence of the hepatic vein was sufficiently opened by retraction of vessel tape laterally. Then, stapling device was applied with appropriate distance from the tumor in all three cases [Figure 11A-D].

Figure 11. Totally laparoscopic hemi-hepatectomy of the right liver for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) located adjacent to the confluences of the right hepatic vein. (A) A CT scan showed multiple HCCs in the right liver. One of the tumors was located near the confluence of the right hepatic vein; (B) an additional trocar was placed at the highest portion of epigastrium to reach just to the tumor; (C) the right hepatic vein was successfully encircled extrahepatically; (D) hepatic parenchymal transection was performed by the usual fashion. The right hepatic vein was safely divided by tape retraction and stapling device

In two cases with suspicion of tumor invading the right diaphragm and the right adrenal gland, an additional trocar placement was also required to have favorable exposure and usage of energy device from the highest portion of epigastrium at the timing of mobilization of hemi-liver. Additionally, the flexible type laparoscope was an indispensable tool to obtain adequate exposure. When the dissection or removal of invaded tumor was insufficient, these procedures were performed at the last step of the hemi-hepatectomy [Figure 12A-D].

Figure 12. Totally laparoscopic hemi-hepatectomy of the right liver for cholangiocellular carcinoma located adjacent to the inferior vena cava with invasion to the right adrenal gland: (A) a CT scan showed a mass forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma extended to just beside the inferior vena cava; (B) the tumor was also suspected of invasion to the right adrenal gland; (C) the right liver was transected prior to the complete mobilization; and (D) finally, the right liver was removed with partial right adrenalectomy from the retroperitoneum

In the case of suspicion of tumor invading to the retroperitoneum, conversion to hybrid technique with small laparotomy was required due to hemorrhage.

Discussion

In our experience, the population of TLHHs for liver tumors including FIG and DIG was 4.3% of all liver resections, 9.4% of all LLRs and 22.3% of all hemi-hepatectomies. Furthermore, FIG of TLHHs was limited to 11.7% of all 94 hemi-hepatectomies performed at our institution. Thus, favorable indication of TLHHs was stringently selected preoperatively.

Although several patients had only one tumor in our TLHH cases, their tumors required hemi-hepatectomy due to large size, located centrally in hemi-liver, nearby the first order branch of Glissonean pedicle, or growth with irregular margin.

Laparoscopic caudal view with magnification can provide a better recognition of structures on hepatic hilum and dorsal area around the IVC than in the open surgery. Additionally, this approach can be suitable to maintain liver parenchymal transection plain made along the body axis, such as hemi-hepatectomies. Therefore, TLHHs can be suitable for technical standardization by laparoscopic procedure. However, many maneuvers are required to complete the procedures. TLHHs have been suggested as being able to be accomplished by surgical teams with extensive experiences in both open and laparoscopic liver surgery^[10-12]. Therefore, the maintenance of good operative field with cooperation among the surgeon, assistant, and scopist is indispensable to standardize the procedures and overcome technical difficulties.

Five trocars with an additional extracorporeal access for Pringle’s maneuver were usually placed in both left and right hemi-hepatectomies. As mentioned above, our standard formation of the surgeon and assistant standing on either side of the patient differs from others suggesting that the surgeon stands between the patient’s legs^[11]. Surgeon use two right-sided trocars of 5mm and 12 mm in diameter, and the assistant uses trocars from epigastric and left lateral positions. We consider that our preferred formation can significantly contribute to stable teamwork with the first assistant.

One of the key points is a vascular division on hepatic hilum and major hepatic veins.

In the hilar dissection of TLHHs, we usually used individual vessels isolation technique, the so-called “control method”, as a conventional intrafascial approach to separate the vessels in the hepato-duodenal ligament^[13]. Although the extrafascial Glissonean pedicle approach^[14] has also been applied in the hilar dissection technique of LH^[15], we prefer the control method because of occasional instability in the laparoscopic division of Glissonean pedicle by using stapling device due to its thickness and limited angle, as well as the technical stability of the control method in our team. Here, vessel taping is extremely important for safe and precise division of the hilar vessels.

The tape retraction of the confluence of hepatic veins to the lateral side is a useful maneuver to apply the stapling device and divide large hepatic vein safely.

Our timing of liver mobilization differs from other authors, and several approaches to hepatocaval confluence are described^[10,11,16]. When the tumor was not at risk of rupture and the liver parenchyma was soft, complete mobilization of the liver before parenchymal transection could be performed conventionally. If operative visualization was suitable, the confluence of right hepatic vein or common confluence of the middle and left hepatic vein could be encircled extrahepatically. When the isolation of bifurcation of large hepatic vein and the IVC was complicated, it could be postponed until after liver transection. Whenever these procedures were performed, the flexible angle laparoscope was an indispensable instrument. For a large tumor, with or without liver stiffness, anterior approach, which transected the liver prior to liver mobilization, could be required for the safe manipulation of the liver^[16,17].

We consider that there is no strict distinction in indication of TLHHs for tumor diameter; soft tumors larger than approximately 70 mm could be removed with conventional fashion, while hard tumors larger than 70 mm could be better transected by anterior approach. When the tumor was invading the retroperitoneum, right adrenal gland, or dorsal part of diaphragm, it could also be dissected close to the end of TLHH procedures, with consideration of requirement of hand-assisted or laparoscopy-assisted hybrid technique. However, the large tumor which firmly overlays the hepatic hilum is contraindication of TLHHs. In the retrieval of resected liver, it can be an issue regarding the prolonged operative duration, putting it into a plastic bag, and removing it from the limited length of skin incision.

Hepatic parenchymal resection should meticulously be performed by using a Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator or a clamp crushing method under the guidance of intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasound. Liver transection technique based on the appropriate selection of devices is essential to achieve successful surgery^[18].

Incidence of gas embolism in laparoscopic major liver resection has been reported to ranged 0.2%-1.5%^[19]. To avoid gas embolism in LH, therefore, we customarily use caution, maintaining intraperitoneal pressure around 10 mmHg, with fluctuation of the IVC in half-filled state^[11].

Intraoperative cholangiography prior to division of hepatic ducts is introduced to reveal anatomical variation or bile leakages. The recently developed Indocyanine green fluorescence imaging can be used in intraoperative cholangiography^[20,21].

The hand-assisted laparoscopic procedure and the laparoscopy-assisted hybrid procedure should remain options against unexpected trouble due to technical or oncological reason^[22]. A conversion case to hybrid technique due to intraoperative hemorrhage in our series was safely coped with by prompt decision.

Although further improvement is necessary in our result of TLHHs in operative duration, blood loss, or postoperative morbidity, we believe TLHHs can be technically standardized. Additionally, technical modifications from stylized procedure, such as changes in the order of procedures, use of additional trocars for manipulation of surgical devices, or laparoscope, could contribute to performing TLHHs in difficult cases.

However, further accumulation of experience is necessary to improve the outcome of TLHHs and overcome the limitations.

We conclude that stringent patient selection for TLHHs is a notably important aspect, and, thereby, TLHHs can safely be stylized by totally laparoscopic fashion in daily practice. Ascertainment and correspondence for difficulty can be made through technical stylization of totally laparoscopic procedure in hemi-hepatectomies. However, there is an important limitation in this study due to the small number cases in each group, and further investigation is needed to clarify the feasibility of TLHHs in FIG and DIG.