A refined method of trans-thoracoabdominal hepatectomy for cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

A hepatectomy in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, located in either the posterior or superior part of the right lobe, inevitably requires a forced mobilization of the right lobe. Such a forced procedure causes a decreased hepatic blood flow resulting in postoperative morbidity and mortality, as well as an increased risk of the intrahepatic dissemination of cancer cells during the operation. We have thus refined the method of trans-thoracoabdominal hepatectomy to minimize those demerits of conventional transabdominal hepatectomies. The main characteristics of our refinements are as follows; (1) an optimal incision for the best short-cut to the hepatocellular carcinoma is determined by a three-dimensional imaging of either helical computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging before operation; (2) a complete view of the operative field is obtained by the pertinent use of rotating the operation table, on which the patient is placed in a left semi-lateral position; (3) this method is suitable for resecting a tumor located in the posterior segment such as a posterior segmentectomy. This refined method is considered to decrease the postoperative morbidity including post-operative hepatic dysfunction and is also useful for cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.