Laparoscopic subsegmentectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma with cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Laparoscopic liver resection is feasible for both benign and malignant disease with today's laparoscopic techniques and technology. Location of the tumor at the edge of segment 3, 4, 5, or 6 of our patients makes them an ideal candidate for laparoscopic resection.

METHODOLOGY

There were 9 patients who underwent laparoscopic subsegmentectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma with cirrhosis. They were classified as Child A in 6 and B in 3 patients. Hepatitis B was found in 5 and Hepatitis C in 4 cases. Preoperative diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma was completed in 7 and definitive histologic diagnosis from frozen section in 2 cases. All 9 patients underwent subsegmentectomy and removal of the tumor with non-tumor cirrhotic liver with a distance of 10 mm at the least margin. Laparoscopic ultrasound allows exact localization of lesions and achievement of adequate resection margin.

RESULTS

Those patients resumed a full diet on the 2nd-3rd day after the operation and were discharged home on day 4-7 with no complications but one had prolonging discharge due to ascitis from a drainage tube. Finally, the ascitis was controlled by medications for 1 week. All patients had high postoperative satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic liver resection is a procedure of significant risk and technically demanding. Therefore, it should be performed only by experienced liver surgeons with a high level of laparoscopic skill and in the carefully selected patient.