Application of precise hepatectomy in primary liver cancer

Objective To evaluate the application value of precise hepatectomy in primary liver cancer (liver cancer). Methods Clinical data of 60 patients with liver cancer undergoing hepatectomy in Zhongshan People's Hospital between January 2011 and December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the surgical procedures, all patients were divided into the precise hepatectomy group (precise group) and traditional hepatectomy group (traditional group). In the precise group, 30 patients were included, 18 males and 12 females, aged between 25 and 60 years with a median age of 45 years. In the traditional group, 30 patients were included, 20 males and 10 females, aged between 23 and 62 years with a median age of 46 years. The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the local ethical committee approval was received. In the precise group, selective hepatic blood inflow occlusion was performed. The liver transection plane was determined according to the ischemic boundary and main branch of hepatic vein. The central venous pressure was controlled below 5 cmH2O (1 cmH2O=0.098 kPa). The liver tissues were separated by ultrasonic scalpel. The liver section planes were left without suture. In the traditional group, Pringle maneuver was performed to occlude the blood flow of porta hepatis. The liver tissues were rapidly separated by vascular clamping. The liver section planes were sutured after surgery. The operation time, intraoperative hemorrhage volume, changes of liver function indexes at postoperative 7 d, postoperative length of hospital stay and postoperative complications were observed between two groups. Data of two groups were compared using t test and the ratio was compared using Chi-square test. Results Hepatectomy was successfully completed in all patients. The incisional margin was detected as negative after tumor resection. No patients died during perioperative period. In the precise group, the mean operation time was (302±47) min, significantly longer compared with (209±30) min in the traditional group (t=4.016, P<0.05). In the precise group, intraoperative hemorrhage volume was (354±71) ml, significantly less than (598±109) ml in the traditional group (t= -2.376, P<0.05). In the precise group, the alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TB) at postoperative 7 d were (80±36) U/L, (61±18) U/L and (29±6) μmol/L, significantly lower than (252±55) U/L, (233±62) U/L and (49±8) μmol/L in the traditional group (t=-2.173, -1.640 , -2.240; P<0.05). In the precise group, postoperative length of hospital stay was (13±3) d, significantly shorter compared with (22±5) d in the traditional group (t=-2.045, P<0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications in the precise group was 7% (2/30), significantly lower than 27% (8/30) in the traditional group (χ2=4.320, P<0.05). Conclusion Compared with traditional hepatectomy, precise hepatectomy has the advantages of less intraoperative hemorrhage, faster postoperative recovery of liver function, lower incidence of complications, faster postoperative recovery and shorter length of hospital stay. Key words: Hepatectomy; Liver neoplasms; Time; Blood loss, surgical; Transaminases; Postoperative complications