Potential for Abdominal Wall Implantation After Laparoscopic Procedures of the Hepatobiliary Tract

Hepatobiliary malignancies are often unsuspected at routine laparoscopic operations. Case reports have recently drawn attention to the potential for neoplastic "seeding" of laparoscopic incision sites. Although the exact incidence of tumor implantation-as well as if there is any change in incidence or with laparoscopic surgery-will remain obscure, surgeons must remain alert to this possibility. If cancer is suspected or found after laparoscopy, time-honored surgical principles apply to the management of these patients at risk for early and aggressive recurrences.