Totally Laparoscopic Microwave Ablation and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy

Background Laparoscopic microwave ablation and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (LAPS) is a new technique with a first laparoscopic step available in cases of unresectable right liver masses and inadequate future liver remnant (FLR). Methods In Step 1, laparoscopic right portal vein occlusion is performed with microwave ablation on the future transection plane and in the FLR. Step 2 consists of a totally laparoscopic right trisectionectomy. Results Duration of the Step 1 operation was 170 min, without the need for blood transfusions and intensive care unit admission. The postoperative liver volumetric computed tomography scan was performed on postoperative day 9 and revealed a satisfactory left hepatic hypertrophy (FLR 666 cm 3 ; FLR to body weight ratio 0.96; FLR increase 90.4 %; daily FLR hypertrophy 35 cm 3 /day). Duration of the Step 2 operation was 630 min (liver transection time 240 min). Blood loss was 700 cc, with no need for transfusion. The specimen was extracted through a 10-cm Pfannenstiel incision, and pathology revealed a tumor-free resection margin (R0). The patient was discharged on postoperative day 7 without complications (total hospital stay for Step 1 + Step 2: 10 days). Conclusions Totally LAPS is a technically feasible and safe procedure. It could provide benefit in selected patients with primarily non-resectable liver cancer, making extreme liver surgery easy and safe in well-selected patients.