The approaches and technique for resection of the caudate lobe of the liver / 中国普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the approaches and surgical technique for resection of the lesions occupying different parts of the caudate lobe of the liver. Methods The clinical data of cases undergoing resection of lesions originating in the caudate lobe were retrospectively analysed. The operative procedures were chosen according to lesion location. Results A total of 32 patients were operated on. The surgical technique included left, right and anterior transhepatic approach. The mean operative time was (198?73)min (range 60～345 min) and the mean intraoperative blood loss (917?914)ml (range 100～4?500 ml). There was no operative death, with complications occurring in 4 patients (12%). The patients with benign hepatic tumor are all alive after operation and the 1, 2, 3 and 4 year survival rates for the patients with malignant hepatic tumor were 87%, 59%, 43% and 43%, respectively. Conclusion Resection of the caudate lobe lesions different both in sizes and locations varies greatly in operative complexity, with combined hepatectomy being most difficult. Bilateral surgical approaches are suitable for almost all caudate lobectomies.