Abstract
In recent years, the number of patients on ablation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is on the rise. However, in this type of cancer with exposure on the liver surface, the risk of dissemination has been pointed out. We consider laparoscopic hepatectomy (LHx) to be particularly applicable to those avoidable, less invasive cases with a high risk of dissemination. Thus, we investigated LHx availability for HCC exposed on the liver surface.
MATERIALS AND METHODS : Among all 49 patients undergoing LHx, we examined 10 cases with liver surface exposure for tumor position, diameter, preoperative hepatic function, operating time, hemorrhage amount, etc.
RESULTS : LHx was undertaken in 10 patients with HCC exposure on the liver surface. In terms of safety, the outer area, S6, etc. were limited to the peripheral area. With improvement in surgical skills, operating time and blood loss have been reduced by this treatment so as to allow earlier discharge.
