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Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is an uncommon but very aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis. Concerns for oncological inferiority related to the technical difficulties in performing laparoscopic portal lymphadenectomy discourage many surgeons to undertake this operation minimally invasively. With wide application of robotic technology to solve limitations of conventional laparoscopy, we describe our initial outcomes of robotic central hepatectomy and portal lymphadenectomy for gallbladder carcinoma in 15 consecutive patients. Data were presented as median (mean ± SD). Patients were 70 (73 ± 10.9) years old with BMI of 26 (26 ± 3.6) kg/m2. Tumor size was 3(4 ± 1.9) cm. Operative duration was 222 (237 ± 85.7) minutes and estimated blood loss was 200 (222 ± 135.4) mL. There were no intraoperative complications and complete resection (R0) was obtained in nearly all patients. Postoperative complications were seen in two patients (bile leak (n = 1) and respiratory failure (n = 1)). Length of stay was 3 (4 ± 4.0) days without 30-day mortality. Robotic approach is safe and effective for the treatment of GBC.

Blood loss is a major determinant of outcomes following hepatectomy. Robotic technology enables hepatobiliary surgeons to mimic open techniques for inflow control and parenchymal transection during major hepatectomy, increasing the ability to minimize blood loss and perform safe liver resections. Initial experience of 20 consecutive major robotic hepatectomies from November 2018 to July 2020 at two co-located institutions was reviewed. All cases were performed with extrahepatic inflow control and parenchymal transection with the laparoscopic cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA), and a technical description is illustrated. Clinical characteristics, operative data, and surgical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. The median (range) patient age was 58 years (20–76) and the majority of 14 (70%) patients were ASA III–IV. There were 12 (60%) resections for malignancy and the median tumor size was 6.2 cm (1.2–14.6). Right or extended right hepatectomy was the most common procedure (12 or 60% of cases). There were 7 (35%) left or extended left hepatectomies and 1 (5%) central hepatectomy. The median operative time was 420 (177–622) minutes. Median estimated blood loss was 300 mL (25–800 mL). One (5%) case was converted to open. Two (10%) patients required blood transfusion. The median length of stay was 3 (1–6) days. Major complications included 1 (5%) Clavien–Dindo IIIa bile leak requiring percutaneous drainage placement. There was no 90-day mortality. Advanced techniques to reduce blood loss in robotic hepatectomy may optimize safety and minimize morbidity in these complex minimally invasive procedures.

A hepatoblastoma in a 6-month-old child was initially considered unresectable because of diffuse liver involvement. The patient received 4 courses of cisplatin with an interval time of 2 weeks. A computed tomography scan after 4 courses of chemotherapy showed shrinking of the tumor, which made it resectable, and the tumor was removed by central hepatectomy. The patient was able to eat a regular diet on the fourth day and was sent home on the seventh day, after the operation. The pediatric oncologist followed the patient with liver ultrasonography and alpha-fetoprotein and administered 2 more cycles of cisplatin.

Aim. To analyze the safety and advantages of central resection in comparison with extended hepatectomies. Methods. From June 2017 to May 2020 29 central and extended liver resections for children were performed. Central hepatic resections were carried out in 8, extended hepatectomies – in 21 patients. Preoperative investigations, intraoperative and postoperative data in both groups were analyzed.Results. The main indication for surgery was hepatoblastoma. Future liver remnant volume was significantly higher in central resections group (р = 0.003). No difference in median operative time (р = 0.94), intraoperative blood loss (р = 0.078) and blood transfusion rate (р = 0.057) were found between groups. There were no postoperative complications difference. Also no difference in hospital stay length (р = 0.3) were found.Conclusion. In comparison with extended procedures, central liver resection has similar complication rate. Central hepatectomy is a safe procedure in children with liver tumors, which allows to preserve more healthy parenchyma.

Hepatoblastoma is a malignant tumor. Surgical resection is the goal of treatment. A 7-month-old female patient with a hepatic mass in segments IV A and B, V, and VIII, classified as PRETEXT III. A central hepatectomy preserving segments VI, VII, II, and III, and a double biliodigestive derivation were performed. The right portal vein involved was ligated to produce a compensatory hyperplasia of the left liver, retaining the right one as an auxiliary. At 14 days, the left liver had increased by 48.1%. As an alternative to transplantation, central hepatectomy was combined with ligation of the right portal vein in a single surgical time.

Carcinosarcomas of the gallbladder are extremely rare tumors and infrequently reported in the literature. We demonstrate a case of a 64-year-old female who presented with a 2-month history of a right upper quadrant mass, intermittent fevers, and abdominal distension following recent travel to Ghana. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated a large hepatic lesion with co-existing gallbladder distension, suggestive of a hepatic abscess. The patient was initially managed with intravenous antibiotics but failed to respond to treatment. A subsequent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the liver showed a locally invasive lobulated soft tissue lesion arising from the gallbladder fundus and extending into the liver parenchyma. The lesion was surgically excised with a central hepatectomy. Histopathologic analysis showed a carcinosarcoma of the gallbladder.

When the liver is divided into the right and left halves after central hepatectomy, a serious injury to the one half of the liver can destroy the ipsilateral half. We report a case showing total necrosis of the hepatic left lateral section (LLS) caused by blunt abdominal trauma in a patient who had undergone central hepatectomy and bile duct resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. A 47-year-old female patient was transferred because of postoperative status following blunt abdominal trauma. Five years before, she had been diagnosed with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. Since the tumor extent was compatible with Bismuth-Corlette type IV, she underwent central hepatectomy and bile duct resection. After five years, she experienced an industrial safety accident, in which a heavy refrigerator fell over her body. She underwent emergency duodenal diversion surgery with distal gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy. During this surgery, serious ischemic injury of the LLS with occlusion of the left portal vein and hepatic artery was identified, but not treated. After three weeks, LLS necrosectomy with repair of the jejunal limb was done. Postoperative bile leak developed and required supportive care for two months for its healing. She is currently doing well without any physical discomfort four months after the necrosectomy. Our experience with this case suggests that an injury to the afferent jejunal limb requires an individualized treatment strategy including long-standing waiting with effective drainage for spontaneous healing. The experience of this case appears to be theoretically matched with late-stage resection of LLS following central hepatectomy and bile duct resection.

The surgical difficulty and postoperative outcomes of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) are related to the size of the cut liver surface. This study assessed whether the estimated parenchymal transection surface area could predict intraoperative difficulty and postoperative outcomes. LLRs performed between 2008 and 2018, for whom a preoperative CT scan was available for 3D review, were included in the study. The area of scheduled parenchymal transection was measured on the preoperative CT scan and cut-off values that could predict intraoperative difficulty were analyzed. 152 patients who underwent left lateral sectionectomy (n = 27, median estimated area 30.1 cm2 [range 16.6–65.9]), left/right hepatectomy (n = 17 and n = 70, 76.8 cm2 [range 43.9–150.9] and 72.2 cm2 [range 39.4–124.9], respectively), right posterior sectionectomy (n = 7, 113.3 cm2 [range 102.1–136.3]), central hepatectomy (n = 11, 109.1 cm2 [range 66.1–186.1]) and extended left/right hepatectomy (n = 6 and n = 14, 115.3 cm2 [range 92.9–128.9] and 50.7 cm2 [range 13.3–74.9], respectively) were included. An estimated parenchymal transection surface area ≥ 100 cm2 was associated with significant increase in operative time (AUC 0.81, 95% CI [0.70, 0.93], p

Central hepatectomy (CH) is technically challenging and seldom-used to treat centrally located tumors. However, CH is a parenchyma-sparing resection that may decrease the risk of postoperative liver failure. This retrospective study presents our technique of CH and assesses the outcomes.All CH performed in our department over two decades (1997-2017) were identified. Indications and short-term outcomes were compared between the two decades. Long-term outcomes were assessed.Sixty-four patients underwent CH using a suprahilar approach for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC: n = 30), metastasis (n = 23), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCCA: n = 9) or other diseases (n = 2). CH represented 6% of 1004 major hepatectomies, (7.4% (n = 35) before 2007 vs 5.4% (n = 29) after 2007). The mean operating time was 219 ± 56 min. A perioperative blood transfusion was required in 14 patients (22%). Intraoperative bile duct injuries occurred in 5 patients (8%), and they were repaired. One patient died postoperatively (1,5%). Ten patients (16%) experienced a major complication. Nine patients (14%) suffered from bile leakage, of which 6 healed spontaneously. Only one patient had low grade liver failure. The R0-resection rate was 69%. After 2007, there were no bile duct injuries (0/29 vs 5/35, p 0.05), and the average hospital stay was shorter but not significantly (11 vs 14 days). Actuarial 5-year survival was 56% for HCC patients and 34% for those with colorectal metastasis CONCLUSIONS: CH is associated with significant biliary morbidity and may increase positive surgical margins. Nevertheless, it should be recommended in selected patients to avoid the risk of postoperative liver failure.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the commonest primitive malignant tumors of the liver, is currently considered one of the very high life-threatening tumors. Surgery remains the treatment of choice of HCC and is indicated whenever possible. We present the case of a patient 66 years old , at which abdominal CT scan reveals the presence of HCC in segments 4 and 8, broken, and perisplenic and perihepatic fluid accumulation in the context of declining hemoglobin. Associate there is an incomplete picture of the portal convergence of 1.9 cm, with the lack of visualization of the left portal wreath. Even in the absence of the possibility of curative resection due to spontaneous rupture of the liver tumor, it is made a central necessity hepatectomy and subsegmentectomy 2 and 3 for the other three formations located at this level. Patient's postoperative course was favorable and he was discharged 11 days after surgery. Abdominal MRI performed 2 months postoperatively revealed the presence of multifocal recurrence. Patient dies at 6 months postoperatively.

Background and Aim: The risk factors for bile leakage after hepatectomy without biliary reconstruction are controversial. This study investigated the risk factors for bile leakage after hepatectomy without biliary reconstruction.Methods: We searched databases (Embase (Ovid), Medline (Ovid), PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) for articles published between January 1, 2000, and May 1, 2021, to evaluate the risk factors for bile leakage after hepatectomy without biliary reconstruction.Results: A total of 16 articles were included in this study, and the overall results showed that sex (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.04–1.42), diabetes (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.05–1.38), left trisectionectomy (OR: 3.53, 95% CI: 2.32–5.36), central hepatectomy (OR: 3.28, 95% CI: 2.63–4.08), extended hemihepatectomy (OR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.55–4.22), segment I hepatectomy (OR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.50–4.40), intraoperative blood transfusion (OR:2.40 95%CI:1.79–3.22), anatomical hepatectomy (OR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.19–2.44) and intraoperative bleeding ≥1,000 ml (OR: 2.46, 95% CI: 2.12–2.85) were risk factors for biliary leakage. Age >75 years, cirrhosis, underlying liver disease, left hepatectomy, right hepatectomy, benign disease, Child–Pugh class A/B, and pre-operative albumin Conclusion: Comprehensive research in the literature revealed that sex, diabetes, left trisectionectomy, central hepatectomy, extended hemihepatectomy, segment I hepatectomy, intraoperative blood transfusion, anatomical hepatectomy and intraoperative bleeding ≥1,000 ml were risk factors for biliary leakage.

Central liver tumors often require extended hepatectomy or a central hepatectomy with complex biliary reconstructions. Extended resections are prone to higher chances of post-operative liver failure, while the resections mandating reconstructions run a risk of biliary leaks. Non-anatomical liver resections for these centrally located tumors provide a benefit of functional parenchymal preservation but a higher perceived risk of oncological inadequacy. This manuscript is an attempt to showcase author’s technique of parenchymal sparing liver resection for central located liver tumor without the need for any biliary reconstruction while ensuring oncological adequacy during the conduct of the procedure.

Background Traditional classifications for open liver resection are not always associated with surgical complexity and postoperative morbidity. The aim of this study was to test whether a three-level classification for stratifying surgical complexity based on surgical and postoperative outcomes, originally devised for laparoscopic liver resection, is superior to classifications based on a previously reported survey for stratifying surgical complexity of open liver resections, minor/major nomenclature or number of resected segments. Methods Patients undergoing a first open liver resection without simultaneous procedures at MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston cohort) or the University of Tokyo (Tokyo cohort) were studied. Surgical and postoperative outcomes were compared among three grades: I (wedge resection for anterolateral or posterosuperior segment and left lateral sectionectomy); II (anterolateral segmentectomy and left hepatectomy); III (posterosuperior segmentectomy, right posterior sectionectomy, right hepatectomy, central hepatectomy and extended left/right hepatectomy). Results In both the Houston (1878 patients) and Tokyo (1202) cohorts, duration of operation, estimated blood loss and comprehensive complication index score differed between the three grades (all P < 0·050) and increased in stepwise fashion from grades I to III (all P < 0·001). Left hepatectomy was associated with better surgical and postoperative outcomes than right hepatectomy, extended right hepatectomy and right posterior sectionectomy, although these four procedures were categorized as being of medium complexity in the survey-based classification. Surgical outcomes of minor open liver resections also differed between the three grades (all P < 0·050). For duration of operation and blood loss, the area under the curve was higher for the three-level classification than for the minor/major or segment-based classification. Conclusion The three-level classification may be useful in studies analysing open liver resection at Western and Eastern centres.

Background Central hepatectomy (CH) is more difficult than extended hepatectomy (EH) and is associated with greater morbidity. In this modern era of liver management with aims to prevent post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF), there is a need to assess outcomes of CH as a parenchyma-sparing procedure for centrally located liver tumors. Methods A total of 178 major liver resections performed by specialist surgeons from two Australian tertiary institutions between June 2009 and March 2017 were reviewed. Eleven patients had CH and 24 had EH over this study period. Indications and perioperative outcomes were compared between the groups. Results The main indication for performing CH was colorectal liver metastases. There was no perioperative mortality in the CH group and four (16.7%) in the EH group (P = 0.285). No group differences were found in median operative time [CH vs. EH: 450 min (290–840) vs. 523 min (310–860), P = 0.328], intraoperative blood loss [850 mL (400–1500) vs. 650 mL (100–2000), P = 0.746] or patients requiring intraoperative blood transfusion [1 (9.1%) vs. 7 (30.4%), P = 0.227]. There was a trend towards fewer hepatectomy-specific complications in the CH group [3 (27.3%) vs. 13 (54.2%), P = 0.167], including PHLF (CH vs. EH: 0 vs. 29.2%, P = 0.072). Median length of stay was similar between groups [CH vs. EH: 9 days (5–23) vs. 12 days (4–85), P = 0.244]. Conclusions CH has equivalent postoperative outcomes to EH. There is a trend towards fewer hepatectomy-specific complications, including PHLF. In appropriate patients, CH may be considered as a safe parenchyma-sparing alternative to EH.

BACKGROUND The utility of minimally-invasive liver resection (MILR) for deep centrally located tumours (CLT) remains controversial. We aimed to review our institution's experience and outcomes with minimally invasive central hepatectomy (CH) and right anterior sectionectomy (RAS) for CLT in a propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis. METHODS Retrospective review of a prospectively maintained surgical database revealed 23 patients who underwent MILR (6 CH, 17 RAS) and 53 patients who underwent open liver resection (OLR; 24 CH, 29 RAS) for CLT. PSM in a 1:1 ratio identified two groups of patients with similar baseline clinicopathological characteristics. Peri-operative outcomes were then compared. RESULTS There was one laparoscopic-assisted, one robot-assisted and two laparoscopic-converted-open procedures in the MILR cohort. Across the unmatched cohort, there was only one mortality (MILR) and five patients with major morbidity (all OLR). MILR was associated with a longer operating time (P

Background Central hepatectomy (CH) is an uncommon surgical technique that is an option for resection of centrally located tumors, with the advantage of sparing normal hepatic parenchyma. Few studies have described outcomes in children undergoing CH. Materials and methods An IRB-approved, retrospective chart review of patients who underwent CH at Children's Hospital Los Angeles between 2005 and 2016 was performed. Data included patient demographics, peri-operative factors, and post-operative outcomes. The IRB approved waiver of consent. Results Eight patients (4F:4M) with median age of 1.9 Y underwent CH: 7 patients for HB and 1 patient for focal nodular hyperplasia. Two of the seven HB patients had metastatic disease at diagnosis. Six of the seven HB patients received a median of 4 rounds (3-7 rounds) of pre-operative chemotherapy. The median operative time was 197.5 Min (143-394 Min) with median blood loss of 175 mL (100-1200 mL). Complications included a bile fluid collection requiring aspiration. Seven patients had negative margins on pathology. One patient with a positive margin successfully completed therapy, without recurrent disease. All patients survived to follow-up, with a median follow-up duration of 1.1 Y (0.1-12.1 Y). Two patients developed recurrent disease requiring formal hepatic lobectomy and orthotopic liver transplantation. These patients had negative pathologic margins, with tumor within 1 mm of resection margins. Conclusion CH is an effective alternative to extended hepatectomy for patients with centrally located liver tumors and is associated with good clinical and pathologic outcomes.

Resection of liver cancer involving the paracaval portion (PC) of the caudate lobe is challenging because the PC is located deepest in the liver. This study aimed to elucidate the utility of two parenchymal-sparing approaches of limited resection and central hepatectomy for resecting tumors located in the PC. In 2018 and 2020, 12 out of 143 patients underwent hepatectomy for tumors located in the PC of the liver. In six patients, limited resection (LR) of the PC after full mobilization of the liver off the inferior vena cava (IVC) was performed for tumors excluding the hilar plate or large hepatic veins (large HVs), including major hepatic veins or thick short hepatic veins. In six patients, central hepatectomy (CH) using liver tunnel was performed for tumors involving or close to the hilar plate and/or large HVs. During CH, the surgical view of the cranial side of the hilar plate was wide enough to perform combined resection of the large HVs in front of the IVC. Five of the six CHs were performed with resection of the LHVs. No LRs were accompanied with resection of the LHVs. The CH was associated with longer Pringle’s time (76 min vs. 29.5 min, p = 0.015) and blood loss (1104 ml vs. 370 ml, p = 0.041). The preserved liver parenchyma volumes were 82% and 95% of the total liver volume after CH and LR, respectively. Our parenchymal-sparing approach for resection of liver cancer located in the PC is feasible for curative resection.

Background In terms of anatomical liver sectionectomy approaches, both a central hepatectomy (CH) and major hepatectomy (MH) are feasible options for a centrally located hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods We retrospectively reviewed the surgical outcomes of central HCC patients who underwent CH or MH. MH includes hemihepatectomy or trisectionectomy, whereas CH involves a left medial sectionectomy, right anterior sectionectomy, or central bisectionectomy. The surgical outcomes were compared before and after propensity score matching (PSM). Results A total of 233 patients were enrolled, including 132 in the CH group and 101 in the MH group. The MH group cases were pathologically more advanced and had poorer overall survival rates than the CH group. After PSM, 68 patients were selected into each group, both of which showed similar overall and recurrence-free survival outcomes. The CH group showed a tendency for a longer operation time; however, other perioperative outcomes were similar between the two groups. Multivariate analyses of our matched HCC patients revealed that the type of surgery (CH or MH) was not an independent prognostic factor. More patients in the matched CH group experienced a repeat hepatectomy for recurrence and no patients in this group underwent a preoperative portal vein embolization. Conclusions The short- and long-term surgical outcomes of CH and MH for a centrally located HCC are similar under a matched clinicopathological background. CH has the advantage of not requiring a preoperative portal vein embolization and increased chances of conducting a repeat hepatectomy for recurrence.

Background Laparoscopic anatomical resection (LAR) is a highly challenging procedure. This study aimed to describe our experience of the LAR with an indocyanine green fluorescence negative staining (ICGNS) by the Glissonean pedicle transection (Takasaki) approach. Methods From April 2017 to December 2019, 43 consecutive patients underwent LAR with ICGNS strategy in our medical team. The details of the ICGNS strategy were described. The demographic and clinicopathological data of the included patients were retrospectively analyzed. Results The extent of resections included right hemihepatectomy (n = 12), left hemihepatectom (n = 4), left lateral sectionectomy (n = 3), Right anterior sectionectomy (n = 3), Right posterior sectionectomy (n = 6), central hepatectomy (n = 2), single anterolateral segmentectomy (n = 5), single posterosuperior segmentectomy (n = 6), and bisegmentectomy (n = 2). The mean operation time was 212 ± 53 min, and the median estimated blood loss was 200 (100–300) ml. The overall complication rate was 30.2% (grade I, 14%; grade II, 14%; grade III, 2.3%). The median duration of postoperative hospital stay was 6 (4–7) days. Conclusion ICGNS is a safe and feasible LAR strategy that greatly facilitates selecting the liver transection plane, although its benefits need to be verified by large-sample comparative studies.

Background Anti-Gerbich (Ge) alloantibody against high-frequency erythrocyte antigen is extremely rare. Owing to incomplete evidence regarding the degree and severity of adverse events induced by hemolytic transfusion reactions, the transfusion management often remains cumbersome in these patients. We report an anti-Ge alloantibody positive patient with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent central hepatectomy (CH) without the need for an allogeneic blood transfusion. Case presentation A 76-year-old Japanese woman was diagnosed with HCC measuring 9.5 × 8.0 cm in segments 4, 5, and 8 of the liver. This patient with anti-Ge alloantibody had a history of two pregnancies without transfusion. CH was planned, and based on the suggestion from the multidisciplinary team meeting, preoperative autologous donation (PAD) and acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) were performed. CH was successfully performed by using CUSA and Thunderbeat® with Pringle maneuver and infra-hepatic inferior vena cava clamping without perioperative need for an allogeneic blood transfusion. She has been alive without recurrence after a follow-up period of 45 months. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first case report of hepatectomy in a patient with anti-Ge alloantibody. A multidisciplinary team approach, PAD and ANH, and bloodless liver surgical techniques appear to be useful for major hepatectomy in patients with extremely rare blood type.

A 35-year-old woman was referred for a symptomatic liver mass. Diagnostic workup detected a septated cyst located centrally in the liver measuring 10 × 7 cm. The cyst had gradually increased in size from previous studies with new intrahepatic biliary dilation. Due to concern for malignancy and symptomatic presentation of the patient, a partial central hepatectomy was performed. Pathology revealed a smooth-walled, multiloculated cyst lined with mucinous epithelium and ovarian-type stroma. The diagnosis of low-grade mucinous cystic neoplasm of the liver (MCN-L) was made. Characteristics of MCN-L have not been elucidated due to its rarity.

Objective. Robotic liver surgery (RLS) has emerged as a feasible alternative to laparoscopic or open resections with comparable perioperative outcomes. Little is known about the oncologic adequacy of RLS. The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term oncologic outcomes for patients undergoing RLS for primary hepatobiliary malignancies. Methods. We performed an international, multicenter, retrospective study of patients who underwent RLS for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CC), or gallbladder cancer (GBC) between 2006 and 2016. Age, gender, histology, resection margin status, extent of surgical resection, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Results. Of the 61 included patients, 34 (56%) had RLS performed for HCC, 16 (26%) for CC, and 11 (18%) for GBC. The majority of resections were nonanatomical or segmental resections (39.3%), followed by central hepatectomy (18%), left-lateral sectionectomy (14.8%), left hepatectomy (13.1%), right hepatectomy (13.1%), and right posterior segmentectomy (1.6%). RO resection was achieved in 94% of HCC, 68% of CC, and 81.8% of GBC patients. Median hospital stay was 5 days, and conversion to open surgery was needed in seven patients (11.5%). Grade III-IV Dindo-Clavien complications occurred in seven patients with no perioperative mortality. Median follow-up was 75 months (95% confidence interval 36-113), and 5-year OS and DFS were 56 and 38%, respectively. When stratified by tumor type, 3-year OS was 90% for HCC, 65% for GBC, and 49% for CC (p = 0.01). Conclusions. RLS can be performed for primary hepatobiliary malignancies with long-term oncologic outcomes comparable to published open and laparoscopic data.

Central hepatectomy (CH) is a relatively uncommon liver resection technique. It is generally perceived as a more complex operation than extended hepatectomies (EH), with potentially higher associated morbidity. The outcomes of CH compared with EH is not well defined and there is a need to reassess.A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science according to PRISMA guidelines for studies on the treatment of liver tumours with CH published from 1972 until February 2017. Outcomes of patients undergoing CH were assessed and compared to those undergoing EH.18 publications including 1380 CH were included for analysis. Mortality rates after CH ranged from 0 to 9%. There were 20 (1.4%) deaths after CH and the most common cause of death was post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF). Morbidity rates varied between 12 and 61% and 316 (23%) post-operative events were reported. Analysis of five comparative studies showed similar mortality between CH and EH groups (OR: 0.64, 95% CI = 0.24-1.70, p = 0.37). There were significantly fewer overall post-operative complications in the CH group (OR: 0.38, 95% CI = 0.28-0.51, p 0.001) and reduced PHLF was found in the CH group compared to EH (OR: 0.53, 95% CI = 0.29-0.98, p = 0.04). The rates of post-hepatectomy biliary complications were similar between groups (OR: 0.98, 95% CI = 0.51-1.88, p = 0.96). Mean length of stay (days) was shorter in the CH group (MD: -2.67, 95% CI = -4.93 to -0.41, p = 0.02).CH appears to have similar post-operative mortality rates compared to EH but is associated with fewer post-operative complications, including PHLF and shorter overall length of stay.

Background Both central hepatectomy (CH) and major hepatectomy (MH) are suggested surgical treatments for patients with centrally located hepatocellular carcinoma (CL-HCC). However, no consensus has been reached regarding which method is superior for managing these patients. This meta-analysis was conducted to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of CH and MH in patients with CL-HCC. Methods An electronic search for studies published in all years up to July 2017 in PubMed (Medline), EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science was performed. The short-term outcome was the incidence of postoperative complications, and the long-term outcomes included 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) and corresponding disease-free survival (DFS), mortality and morbidity. The results were presented as Risk Ratios (RRs) or weighted mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. Results Four retrospective studies containing 465 patients with CL-HCC were included (248 in the CH group and 217 in the MH group). The results suggested no significant differences in the 1-, 3- and 5-year DFS, 1, 3 and 5-year OS, total morbidity or mortality between these groups. Nevertheless, the patients in the CH group presented a lower prevalence of vascular invasion (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.52–0.93, P = 0.020) than did the MH group. In addition, CH led to a higher incidence of biliary fistula, while MH showed a higher incidence of postoperative liver failure. Conclusion This study demonstrated that the long-term outcomes of the patients with CL-HCC in these two groups were not significantly different. For short-term outcomes, CH resulted in a lower rate of postoperative liver failure, while MH resulted in a lower incidence of biliary fistula. Nonetheless, compared with MH, CH provided CL-HCC patients with greater future remnant liver volume without an increased risk of early intra-hepatic recurrence. More multi-centre, randomized controlled trials comparing the therapeutic efficacy of CH and MH are urgently warranted.

Background Central bisegmentectomy of the liver implies excising Couinaud's segments IV, V and VIII (Couinaud and Le Foie, 1957) [ 1 ]. In a recent classification of laparoscopic liver resections, it belongs to the highly advanced level procedure group (Kawaguchi and et al., 2018 Jan) [ 2 ]. Improvement in laparoscopic devices should lead to a wider accessibility of such indications that are currently expert prerogatives. In order to illustrate the assets of robotic-assistance in the management of highly difficult mini-invasive hepatic resections, we present the case of a robotic central hepatectomy. Methods This video illustrates robotic central hepatectomy in a 70-year-old male. A liver tumor involving segments IV, V and VIII was incidentally detected during abdominal ultrasonography. CT scan and MRI suggested the diagnosis of a seventy-millimeter centrally located hepatocellular carcinoma and surgical resection was decided. Results The patient was placed supine in anti-Trendelenburg position. Four robotic trocars were placed and the da Vinci X robotic system was docked. Two laparoscopic ports were placed for the second surgeon (ultrasonic dissector and suction/irrigation set). Central hepatectomy was performed with a glissonean approach. Robotic irrigated bipolar coagulation and laparoscopic ultrasonic dissector was used for parenchymal transection. Postoperative course was uneventful. The patient was discharged on postoperative day eight. Conclusion The recent publication of an International consensus statement demonstrates the growing involvement of robotics in liver surgery (Liu and et al., 2019 March 28) [ 3 ]. Robotic advantages (flexibility, absence of fulcrum effect and visual field stability) could improve accessibility to minimal invasive approach for difficult liver resection.