Laparoscopic Caudate Hepatectomy for a Recurrent Tumor Behind the Vena Cava After Multiple Open Hepatectomies (With Video).

BACKGROUND: Caudate hepatectomy is one of the most difficult procedures among liver surgeries because of its deep location and proximity to the inferior vena cava (IVC), particularly in patients with a history of open hepatectomies. 1,2,3 METHODS: A 77-year-old man underwent three open hepatectomies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including a sub-segmentectomy of S6 and partial hepatectomies of S7 and S8 during follow-up for hepatitis C virus-associated liver cirrhosis. However, HCC recurred in the caudate lobe behind the IVC (Supplemental video file 1). We lysed the severe adhesion in the upper abdomen, including the liver hilum, and exposed the ventral surface of the caudate lobe. We then used a Nathanson retractor to ventrally retract the severely enlarged left lobe. To counteract the severe adhesion that prevented us from controlling the hepatoduodenal ligament, we used the laparoscopic Satinsky vascular clamp for hilar inflow control. Using the anterior approach, we performed parenchymal resection from the distal side of the caudate lobe. Then, we gradually exposed the ventral surface of the IVC and separated the caudate lobe from the IVC. The IVC ligament was divided, and the caudate lobe, including the tumor behind the IVC, was removed.

RESULTS: The operation time was 229 min with a total hepatic hilar clamping time of 69 min and blood loss of 10 mL. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 8 without any complications. Pathological examination revealed moderately differentiated HCC (pT1N0M0) with a negative surgical margin.

CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic approach using specialized laparoscopic instruments is feasible for a tumor located in the caudate lobe behind the IVC, even in patients with a history of multiple open hepatectomies.