ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo investigate the value of a digital three-dimensional reconstruction technique in the treatment of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE).MethodsThe computed tomography scan data for 13 patients with HAE who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from February 2011 to October 2011 were reconstructed and analyzed by a three-dimensional reconstruction system to assess resectability,and to facilitate surgical planning and individualized virtual surgery.The results of preoperative analysis were compared with the results of actual operations.ResultsThe three-dimensional models of the liver were reconstructed successfully,and intrahepatie lesions and vessels were clearly displayed.One patient received an autologous liver transplantation,10 underwent hepatectomy,and 2 received percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage.Virtual operation planning was carried out for 11 patients using the three-dimensional reconstruction system.The mean volume of the liver to be resected was predicted to be 920 ml (range,339-2678 ml),and the mean percentage of liver to be resected to the total liver volume was predicted to be 45％ ( range,23％ -68％ ).The mean volume o[ the actual liver resection was 834 ml (range,315-2250 m[),and the mean percentage of actual liver resected to the total liver volume was 42％ (range,22％ -70％ ),which was consistent with the results of preoperative three-dimensional reconstruction.All patients were followed up for 2-8 months,and no severe complications such as liver failure,hemorrhage and bile leakage were detected.ConclusionDigital three-dimen-sional reconstruction is helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of HAE and effectively reduces surgical risks.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>For patients with end-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (AE), in vivo resection of the involved parts of the liver is usually very difficult, therefore, allogenic liver transplantation is indicated. However, we hypothesize that for selected patents, ex vivo liver resection for thorough elimination of the involved tissues and liver autotransplantation may offer a chance for clinical cure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We presented a 24-year-old women with a giant hepatic AE lesion who was treated with hepatectomy, ex vivo resection of the involved tissue and hepatic autotransplantation. The patient had moderate jaundice and advanced hepatic AE lesion which involved segments I, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII and retrohepatic inferior vena cava. The lateral segments (II and III) of the left liver remained normal with over 1000 ml in its volume. No extrahepatic metastases (such as to the lung or brain) could be found. As the first step of treatment, X-ray guided percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage (PTCD) was performed twice for bile drainage in segment III and II separately until her serum total bilirubin decreased gradually from 236 to 88 µmol/L. Total liver resection was then performed, followed by extended right hepatic trisegmentectomy and the entire retrohepatic vena cava was surgically removed en bloc while her hemodynamics parameters were stable. Neither veino-veinous bypass nor temporary intracorporeal cavo-caval or porto-caval shunt was used during the 5.7-hour anhepatic phase. The remained AE-free lateral segments of the left liver were re-implanted in situ. The left hepatic vein was directly anastomosed end-to-end to the suprahepatic inferior vena cava due to the lack of the retrohepatic inferior vena cava with AE total infiltration. Because compensatory retroperitoneal porto-caval collateral circulation developed, we enclosed remained infrahepatic inferior vena cava at renal vein level without any haemodynamics problems.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During a 60-day following-up after operation, the patient had a good recovery except for a mildly elevated serum total bilirubin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>As a radical approach, ex vivo liver resection and liver autotransplantation in a case has shown a optimal potential for treatment of the end-stage hepatic AE. Strict compliance with its indications, evaluation of vessels of patients pre-operatively, and precise surgical techniques are the keys to improve the prognosis of patients.</p>