Laparoscopic anatomic liver resection of segment 7 using a caudo-dorsal approach to the right hepatic vein

Background: Laparoscopic anatomic liver resection of segment 7 (S7) is technically challenging because of the posterosuperior location and the lack of clear anatomical landmarks [1-4]. Here, we introduce a caudo-dorsal approach, which may offer a benefit for the difficult procedure. Methods: The patient was a 53-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma located in S7 of the liver. After the transection of caudate process, the Glissonean pedicle of S7 (G7) extending from the right posterior Glissonean pedicle was identified on the liver dorsal side. The demarcation line was noted by isolating and clamping G7. The intraoperative ultrasound was then used to assess the extent of the tumor. The right hepatic vein was approached from the dorsal side and continuously exposed in a caudal-cranial direction along the anterior surface of inferior vena cava after isolating and cutting the venous branches draining S7. Following the dissection of G7, the liver parenchymal transection was proceeded along the ischemic line between segment 6 and 7 with the ventral cutting plane extended to join the dorsal one. The liver parenchyma of the ventral side of the exposed right hepatic vein (RHV) was further transected from the dorsal side toward the root side of RHV. The resection of S7 was completed with perihepatic ligaments dissection. Results: The intermittent Pringle maneuver (15 min occlusion and 5 min reperfusion) was applied when necessary with a total time of 45 min. The operation time was 200 min, the estimated blood loss was 300 ml, and no transfusion was required. Pathology confirmed moderately differentiated HCC with negative surgical margin. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 8 with no complications and has been followed up for 8 months without recurrence. Conclusion: This caudo-dorsal approach for laparoscopic anatomical S7 segmentectomy is easy and feasible when performed by experienced surgeons at experienced centers in well-selected patients