No-touch recipient hepatectomy in liver transplantation for liver malignancies: A state-of-the-art review

Tumor recurrence, the Gordian knot of liver transplantation for malignancies, may be attributed to many parameters. The technique of the "classical" recipient hepatectomy is believed to be one of the potential reasons to cause tumor evasion because of the possible increase of circulating tumor cells, thus leading to an increased recurrent rate. On this background, the no-touch oncological recipient hepatectomy technique has been developed. A comprehensive review of the development and the key surgical steps of the no-touch recipient hepatectomy is presented. This technique might improve clinical outcomes, especially for those recipients who are at a high risk for tumor recurrence. Multicenter prospective studies should be set up to further validate the prognostic role of this technique in patients with liver cancer treated with liver transplantation.