[Contribution of intraoperative echography in hepatic metastases]

Current research is devoted to the most appropriate treatment for hepatic metastases. Intra-operative ultrasonography is very valuable for assessing metastatic lesions, their exact number and their topography in relation to surgical landmarks such as the fissures and the hepatic pedicles. Surgery can then be adapted (metastasectomy, segmentectomy, hepatectomy) in relation to the peripheral parenchyma and the remaining parenchyma. The authors present the results of intra-operative ultrasonography performed at the hôpital Broussais in the diagnosis and treatment of 41 hepatic masses. In every case, the treatment of choice was surgical resection and chemotherapy was only administered as second line therapy in cases of failure.