Video-assisted living donor hemihepatectomy through a 12-cm incision for adult-to-adult liver transplantation

ObjectivesThere has been remarkable progress in recent technical innovations for laparoscopic hepatectomy. However, a laparoscopic procedure rarely has been indicated for donation of the liver in living-related liver transplantation (LRLT). Here, we described the technique and the outcome of video-assisted donor hepatectomy (VADH) for adult-to-adult LRLT.MethodsFor 13 donors in adult-to-adult LRLT, 3 types of major hepatectomy—right hemihepatectomy (3), and left hemihepatectomy, with or without the caudate lobe (10)—were performed through video-assisted procedures; surgical manipulation via ports or via a 12-cm incision and viewing through a laparoscope or through incision were combined and used.ResultsVADH was completed in 13 donors, with a median operation time of 363 ± 33 minutes and a median blood loss of 302 ± 191 mL. No complications specific to video-assisted procedures, postoperative bile leak, or bleeding were observed. The restoration of the liver function was smooth, and the use of an analgesic (median: 1.2 times) was reduced, compared with the historical control (median: 3.8 times) that underwent a standard donation of the liver. Currently, all donors are healthy and have returned to their previous activities. The grafts have been functioning well, excluding 3 recipients who succumbed to serious complications unrelated to the video-assisted procedure.ConclusionWe have shown a new method of VADH through a 12-cm laparotomy for adult-to-adult LRLT. This technique is as feasible as standard open donor hepatectomy, with less pain and with improved postoperative symptoms.