Background: Application of linear stapling devices for extrahepatic vascular control in liver surgery has been well-established. However, the technique for use of stapling devices in hepatic parenchymal transection is not well defined.
Purpose: To describe the safety and efficacy of our technique for use of vascular stapling devices in hepatic parenchymal transection during open right hepatic lobectomy is the purpose of this study.
Methodology: We reviewed our experience with 101 consecutive open right hepatic lobectomies performed by a single surgeon between January 2003 and July 2006, in which vascular staplers were utilized for the parenchymal transection phase.
Results: Of the 101 patients who underwent resection, 53 (52%) were female. The mean age was 58 years. Malignant disease was the indication for resection in the majority of patients (88%). Of those with cancer, 78% (69 of 89) had metastatic colorectal cancer, 6% (5 of 89) had metastatic neuroendocrine tumor, 4% (4 of 89) had hepatocellular carcinoma, 4% (4 of 89) had cholangiocarcinoma, and the remaining 8% were other metastatic cancers. Twelve patients (12%) underwent resection for hepatic adenoma or symptomatic benign disease (FNH or hemangioma). Forty-eight patients (48%) underwent a major ancillary procedure at the time of hepatic resection. Thirty-nine patients (39%) had a nonanatomic wedge resection of a left lobe lesion, 27 patients (27%) had one or more lesions treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and 6 patients (6%) were treated with a synchronous bowel resection. The median total operative time was 336 min (range 155-620 min). A Pringle maneuver for temporary vascular inflow occlusion was utilized in all cases, with a median time of 9 min (range 4-17 min). Ten patients (10%) required blood transfusion during surgery or in the postoperative period. The maximum transfusion was 2 U of packed red blood cells (PRBC) in seven patients and 1 U of PRBC in three patients. The mean nadir postoperative hematocrit was 28.2. All patients with malignant disease had tumor-free margins at the completion of the procedure. The average hospital length of stay was 6.0 days. One patient (1%) developed a clinically significant bile leak requiring a postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP). No patient required reoperation. The 30 and 60-day postoperative survival was 100%.
Conclusion: These findings indicate that application of vascular stapling devices for parenchymal transection in major hepatic resection is a safe technique, with low transfusion requirements and minimal postoperative bile leak. The technique allows for rapid transection of the entire right hepatic lobe in under 10 min. Short video clips of the technique will be demonstrated.