LAPAROSCOPIC LIVER RESECTION FOR HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA

Abstract

At our institute, laparoscopic hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma has been successfully performed in two cases. Each tumor was located solitarily, one in segment IV of the liver and another in the segment VI. Introducing a minimum of four trocars, the exact location of the tumor and the distance from main vessels to the tumor were determined by laparoscopic intraoperative ultrasonography. Hepatic parenchymal resection was carried out using a laparoscopic coagulating shears in combination with a microwave tissue coagulator to minimize the blood loss. After the operation, these patients made a rapid recovery. Although this technique has been available for good quality of life to the patient, a longer time for observation of the clinical course will be necessary to determine the long-term effectiveness.