Short-term effects of modified ultrasonography in laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma

Background and aims

Laparoscopic hepatectomy is challenging, and ultrasound guidance is an effective aid but lacks standardization. This study aimed to evaluate a modified approach for laparoscopic ultrasonography to enhance surgical outcomes.

Methods

Between January 2020 and August 2023, 122 patients who underwent real-time ultrasound-guided laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma were enrolled and divided into modified and traditional ultrasonography groups. The modified ultrasound application comprised intraoperative protocol-based laparoscopic ultrasonography comprising application scenarios; standardized positions for the surgeon, trocar, and probe; and the resulting standardized sections for various laparoscopic liver resections. Clinical characteristics and perioperative outcomes were compared between the two groups. Subgroup analysis was performed and comprised techniques for modified duct structure identification and portal vein branch puncture; both techniques were used in fluorescence probe-mounted laparoscopic liver resection using negative and positive staining procedures, respectively.

Results

The traditional and modified groups comprised 64 and 58 patients, respectively. The patients’ background characteristics were not significantly different between the groups. Surgical duration (283.4 min vs. 225.1 min; p < 0.001), Pringle maneuver duration (47.4 min vs. 39.5 min; p = 0.014), bleeding volume (258.6 mL vs. 174.8 mL; p = 0.005), overall complication rate (31.3% vs. 15.5%; p = 0.041), and postoperative stay were significantly greater in the traditional vs. modified ultrasonography groups, respectively. The modified method positively affected the number of punctures, success rate of staining, intraoperative bleeding volume, and operation duration.

Conclusions

Modified ultrasonography improves the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic hepatectomy. Ultrasonography is pivotal, especially in fluorescence probe-assisted laparoscopic liver resection.