Impact of intraoperative ultrasonography on surgical treatment of liver tumours

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) on surgical decision-making in patients with liver tumours. Material and Methods: IOUS of the liver was performed in 116 patients undergoing surgery for liver rumours. The patients were evaluated preoperatively by ultrasonography. CT and in some cases, by ERCP and scintigraphy. IOUS findings were compared with the results of preoperative imaging and surgical findings. Results. The surgical procedures were altered in 50 cases (43%), extended in 19 cases (16%) and reduced in 8 cases (7%). Twenty-three patients (20%) were found inoperable. Intraoperative evaluation caused surgical modification by IOUS in 13 patients (11%), by surgical findings in 14 patients (12%) and by a combination of both in 23 patients (20%). Conclusion: IOUS is a precise diagnostic method for staging the operability of liver tumours. Unnecessary surgical procedures can be avoided. In total, IOUS altered the preoperative plan in one-third of our patients and is therefore recommended as a routine procedure in connection with major liver surgery.