Total Laparoscopic Liver Resection for a Metastatic Lesion Located in the Caudate Lobe

ABSTRACT

Isolated resection of the caudate lobe of the liver is a technically demanding operation because of its unique anatomical location. Moreover the laparoscopic approach for this operative procedure has been rarely attempted. We report on a total laparoscopic liver resection of the caudate lobe including Spiegel lobe and most of paracaval portion that was performed in a 63-year-old male with a colorectal liver metastasis. The operative procedure was performed using five trocars with the patient placed in the lithotomy position. The operative time was 170 minutes. Blood loss was 350 ml and no perioperaive transfusion was needed. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 4 without any significant complications. This case shows that total laparoscopic liver resection of the caudate lobe is a feasible operation and that laparoscopic approach may be a useful option for the lesion located in Spiegel lobe in selected cases.