Laparoscopic liver resections for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients

The laparoscopic approach for liver resections is still limited and controversial. Nevertheless the advantages connected with a mini-invasive approach are significant, especially in cirrhotic patients. In recent years the progress of laparoscopic procedures and the development of new and dedicated technologies have made endoscopic hepatic surgery feasible and safe. The aim of this study was to report the results of our experience in laparoscopic liver surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients.

From 2000 to 2003, 16 patients (10 male, 6 female; age 48-69 years; mean age 60.1 years) with HCC and associated severe but well compensated liver cirrhosis underwent laparoscopic hepatic resections at our department. Mean tumour size was 2.9 cm (range 1-3.9). Seven of these lesions were in the left liver and nine in the right lobe. Laparoscopy was performed under CO(2) pneumoperitoneum. The liver was always examined using laparoscopic ultrasound (US) to confirm the extension of the lesions and their relationships to the vasculature. The Pringle manoeuvre was not used. The transection of liver parenchyma was obtained by the use of a harmonic scalpel. The specimens were placed in a plastic bag and removed without contact to the abdominal wall.

There was one conversion to laparotomy for inadequate exposure. In the remaining 15 patients we performed 13 non-anatomical resections, I segmentectomy and I anatomical left lobectomy. The mean operative time was 152 min (range 80-180). Mean blood loss was 280 ml and none of the patients required blood transfusions. In two patients the resection margin was <1 cm but the capsule was not infiltrated at histology. One patient died on the third postoperative day from a severe respiratory distress syndrome. Major morbidities occurred in two patients who developed moderate postoperative ascites, which resolved successfully with conservative treatment. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 8.8 days. Mean follow-up time has been 18 months, and to date no recurrences at the site of resection or port-site metastases have been observed.

Limited laparoscopic liver resections in cirrhotic patients are technically feasible with a low complication rate when careful selection criteria are followed (hepatic involvement limited and located in the left or anterior right segments, tumour size smaller than 5 cm, Child-Pugh class A). This approach could be considered the best option for the treatment of small esophitic or subcapsular HCC on well compensated cirrhosis and a useful option when it is necessary to perform a left lateral anatomical resection or non-anatomical resection in well selected patients. In fact the mini-invasive approach can minimise the postoperative morbidity rate, which is still too high in this group of patients. It must be performed in highly specialised units by surgeons assisted by all requested technologies and with extensive experience in hepatobiliary and advanced laparoscopic surgery.