Background: The application of laparoscopic techniques to major hepatic resection has been limited by the risk of hepatic vein laceration leading to massive bleeding or gas embolism. A balloon catheter has therefore been designed to occlude hepatic vein flow during experimental laparoscopic hepatectomy.
Methods: The procedure was attempted in 8 pigs weighing around 50 kg and submitted to laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy. A specially designed balloon catheter was inserted via the femoral vein and advanced into the retrohepatic segment of inferior vena cava (IVC). After inflation of the balloon with 17 ml contrast, angiography confirmed complete occlusion of this segment, while a central rigid channel allowed passage of blood from IVC to right atrium. Haemodynamic studies were performed during resection of the left and left paramedial lobes of the liver, which was completed laparoscopically using ultrasonic coagulating shears and vascular linear staplers.
Results: Inflation of the balloon reduced mean arterial pressure to 75-79% and central venous pressure to 29-42% of baseline values, while cardiac output also fell (to 69-73% of basal). IVC blood flow decreased to 58% and hepatic venous flow to only 16% of pre-inflation values. Left hemihepatectomy was successfully achieved by the laparoscopic route in all 8 animals with a mean balloon inflation time of 30 min and blood loss of 166 ml. Haemodynamic indices returned to normal after deflation of the balloon at the end of the resection.
Discussion: This preliminary study shows that hepatic venous outflow can be occluded by this special balloon catheter and that animals can tolerate the associated haemodynamic disturbance. Similar techniques in man might permit major hepatectomy to be safely achieved by a laparoscopic approach.