Successful robotic radical resection of hepatic echinococcosis located in posterosuperior liver segments

Abstract

BACKGROUND Radical resection is an important treatment method for hepatic echinococcosis. The posterosuperior segments of the liver remain the most challenging region for laparoscopic or robotic hepatectomy. AIM To demonstrate the safety and preliminary experience of robotic radical resection of cystic and alveolar echinococcosis in posterosuperior liver segments. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 5 patients with a median age of 37 years (21-56 years) with cystic and alveolar echinococcosis in difficult liver lesions admitted to two centers from September to December 2019. The surgical methods included total pericystectomy, segmental hepatectomy, or hemihepatectomy. RESULTS Among the 5 patients, 4 presented with cystic echinococcosis and 1 presented with alveolar echinococcosis, all of whom underwent robotic radical operation successfully without conversion to laparotomy. Total caudate lobectomy was performed in 2 cases, hepatectomy of segment VII in 1 case, total pericystectomy of segment VIII in 1 case, and right hemihepatectomy in 1 case. Operation time was 225 min (175-300 min); blood loss was 100 mL (50-600 mL); and postoperative hospital stay duration was 10 d (5-19 d). The Clavien-Dindo complication grade was I in 4 cases and II in 1 case. No recurrence of echinococcosis was found in any patient at the 3 mo of follow-up. CONCLUSION Robotic radical surgery for cystic and selected alveolar echinococcosis in posterosuperior liver segments is safe and feasible.