Gasless laparoscopic resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhosis.

Liver resection by open surgery remains the method of choice for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients with compensated liver function. Laparoscopy for surgical treatment of hepatic diseases is at an early stage. Laparoscopy has been often proposed for diagnosis, staging of hepatic malignancy, treatment of hepatic cyst or benign tumors, but very few laparoscopic treatments of hepatic malignancies have been reported at present and always using conventional CO2 laparoscopy. We describe herein the operative treatment of a single subglissonian HCC of segment III in a child, HCV (hepatitis C virus)-related cirrhosis. A nonanatomical wedge resection was performed by gasless laparoscopic technique using a mechanical retractor obviating the creation of the pneumoperitoneum and of the sealed environment. The technique, in selected cases, is a simple, safe, and effective surgical method. The gasless technique guarantees a clear vision, it makes possible the continuous suction of smoke and fluids, it allows the use of conventional instruments for classic maneuvers of the liver surgery (Pringle maneuver), and the easy management of suturing. The present case has proved to be another abdominal procedure that can be carried out with all the advantages of gasless minimally invasive surgery.

Factors predicting chronic hepatic encephalopathy after distal splenorenal shunt: a multivariate analysis of clinical and hemodynamic variables.

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed at evaluating several factors that promote chronic hepatic encephalopathy by multivariate analysis of data for patients with cirrhosis with good or moderate liver function submitted to distal splenorenal shunts. METHODS: The study group comprised 131 patients: 55 had alcoholic and 76 nonalcoholic cirrhosis. Seventy patients were in Child's class A and 61 in class B. Cerebral function was assessed by a complete neurologic examination. Angiography with venous phase was performed before and within 1 month after the shunt operation. In 84 cases the original Warren technique was used and in 20 cases a Britton's modified procedure was used. Twenty-seven patients had distal splenorenal shunts with a splenopancreatic disconnection. Statistical analysis was performed by two multivariate analyses based on stepwise selection. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients died during a follow-up period of 51 +/- 32 months. Chronic encephalopathy occurred in 18 patients (14%). According to the multivariate analysis of the preoperative prognostic factors, only age (p = 0.0001) and albumin values (p = 0.0002) were independent predictive risk factors for chronic encephalopathy. In the multivariate analysis concerning the hemodynamic consequences of the selective shunts, independent risk factors promoting chronic encephalopathy were postoperative portal perfusion (p = 0.0001), postshunt portal pressure (p = 0.001), and surgical disconnection (p = 0.0064). CONCLUSIONS: Our study has shown that chronic encephalopathy after selective shunt surgery is promoted by both clinical and hemodynamic factors. A better selection of the candidates for shunt surgery and prevention of the development of portal malcirculation by accurate surgical disconnection should further decrease the risk of chronic encephalopathy.