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

Objectives. There 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, toe described the technique and the outcome of video-assisted donor hepatectomy (VADH) for adult-to-adult LRLT. Methods. For 13 donors in adult-to-adult LRLT, 3 types of major hepatectonly-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.. Results. VADH 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. Conclusion. We have shown a new method of VADH through a 12-cm laparotomy for adult-to-adult LPLT. This technique is as feasible as standard open donor hepatectomy, with less pain and with improved postoperative symptoms.