Modified hepatic left lateral lobe inversion in laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy: An analysis of 13 cases.

Background: In laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy (LPG), the prolapse of the hepatic left lateral lobe near the lesser curvature and esophageal hiatus can obstruct the field of vision and operation. Therefore, it is necessary to retract or obstruct the hepatic left lateral lobe to ensure a clear field of vision.

Aim: To investigate the safety and clinical efficacy of the modified hepatic left lateral lobe inversion technique for LPG.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 13 consecutive patients with early-stage upper gastric adenocarcinoma or adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction treated with LPG from January to December 2023 at the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. The modified hepatic left lateral lobe inversion technique was used to expose the surgical field in all patients, and short-term outcomes were observed.

Results: In all 13 patients, the modified hepatic left lateral lobe inversion technique was successful during surgery without the need for re-retraction or alteration of the liver traction method. There were no instances of esophageal hiatus occlusion, eliminating the need for forceps to assist in exposure. There was no occurrence of intraoperative hepatic hemorrhage, hepatic vein injury, or hepatic congestion. No postoperative digestive complications of Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ II occurred within 30 days after surgery, except for a single case of pulmonary infection. Some patients experienced increases in alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels on the first day after surgery, which significantly decreased by the third day and returned to normal by the seventh day after surgery.

Conclusion: The modified hepatic left lateral lobe inversion technique has demonstrated satisfactory results, offering advantages in terms of facilitating surgical procedures, reducing surgical trauma, and protecting the liver.