INTRODUCTION

When a major hepatic resection is necessary, sometimes the future liver remnant (FLR) is not enough to maintain sufficient liver function and patients are more likely to develop liver failure after surgery^9,10. In order to avoid that undesirable situation, in patientes with normal liver function and with less than 20-30% of FLR, percutaneous portal vein embolization (PVE) used to be the gold standard to achieve its hypertrophy. Although it is a good approach and a technique with a high success rate, it takes between four to six weeks to achieve the goal of hypertrophy, and meanwhile, the tumors could go on growing and even worse, appearing more⁸. To improve that, Schnitzbauer et al²¹ introduced a novel technique called associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS). Is a procedure with two steps. The first one consist in an open surgery in which is performed a ligation of the portal branches feeding the side to be resected plus a liver partition. The second step is the hepatectomy. This technique was proven to increase the FLR in less than 10 days and in between 40-80% volume growth by avoiding the formation of collateral vessels²⁶. It was a promising approach except for high morbidity and mortality rates which raise to more than 70% and 10% respectively⁸. For that reason, many variants of this technique have been developed²⁶. Among them, Mini ALLPS was described by De Santibañes et al⁶. Despite of being a less complex procedure, still remains as a two stage open surgery with no despicable morbidity⁸. Then,Jiao et al¹⁶introduced the splitting of liver parenchyma assisted with radiofrequency performed laparoscopically and named it as radiofrequency assisted liver partition with portal vein ligation (RALPP). Also, other sources of energies have been used in animals¹⁹ and also in humans such as Gringeri et al¹² called “laparoscopic microwave ablation and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (LAPS)”. They all have something in common: the less invasive approach in order to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Therefore, to keep on this evolution, in this study we presenta novel technique called “Percutaneous radiofrequency assisted liver partition with portal vein embolization” (PRALLPS) to demonstrate its feasibility.

METHODS

Tecnique of PVE and percutaneous radiofrequency liver partition

The procedure begins with the percutaneous embolization of the left portal vein. For this, an abdominal ultrasound (US) was performed (Acuson S 3000 - Siemens)locating the liver⁹. A branch of the right portal vein was identified. Under US guidance, the vein was accessed using a Chiba 21 G (Cook) needle. The position was confirmed by injecting contrast through the needle under fluoroscopic control (Artis Zeego - Siemens). A portography was done. Once inside the vein, a guide (Guidewire 0.018¨ - Cook) was introduced. The needle was replaced by an introducer (Neff Introducer Set - Cook) using a Seldinger technique. Through the introducer, a catheter (BostonScientific Bern 4 Fr Catheter) was placed in the left branch of the portal vein over accessory guides (Guidewire 0.035¨ Roadrunner - Cook; Guidewire 0.035¨ - Amplatz). The embolizationwas performed using coils of different sizes (Nester Embolization Coils - Cook), including 14x20 mm, 10x20 mm, 8x14 mm, 6x14 mm and 4x14 mm. Correct embolization was confirmed with a final portography¹. Then, the intrahepatic path was embolized(Veriset Haemostatic Patch - Medtronic, Figures 1 A and B)

FIGURE 1 A) Left portal vein showed by portography; B) right portal vein after embolization; C) CT scan with IV contrast after portal vein embolization  

Afterwards, a computed tomography (CT, Somatom Definition AS Plus - Siemens) with IV contrast (Ioméron 400 mg/ml - Bracco) was obtained with venous, arterial and portal phases (Figure 1C). A subtle difference was identified between the embolized area and ​​the normal liver parenchyma.

Three simultaneously radiofrequency ablation (RFA) needles (Radiofrequency Cool Trip System Needle - Medtronic) were set in place using fusion of images between US and CT as a guide (Figure 2).They were separated from each other by approximately 2 cm (Radiofrequency Cool Trip Ablation System Equipment - Medtronic). Subsequently, the ablation was performed for 6 min on each needle. The ablation area of each needle was approximately 3 cm in diameter. At the end of each ablation period, the needles were removed and replaced in the same manner by repeating the procedure until complete partitioning along the anterior face of the liver. The border between the parenchyma corresponding to the embolized portal sector and the normal one serves as a reference as well as the right hepatic vein.The depth of the partition was approximately 4.5 cm.

FIGURE 2 A) Placement the RFA needle using fusion image between US and CT; B) CT scan checking the correct position of the needles 

A new CT scan was then repeated, with the same protocol as described above. The liver partition area could be identified, thus confirming the feasibility of the procedure performed so far (Figure 3).

FIGURE 3 CT scan after ablation 

RESULTS

The animals were operated on after 2 h of the radiofrequency liver partition.In two pigs, a total hepatectomy was performed after their euthanasia (Figure 4), with the only objective of comparing the CT image of the liver after ablation with the final operative piece. In the remaining two animals, a right hepatectomy was performed by laparoscopy (Karl Storz, Figure 5). The reference for the approach of the liver was the ablation line. Its depth was assesed using translaparoscopy ultrasound (Siemens Acuson P300 LP323 Transducer). To complete the parenchyma partition, we used energy devices (Sonicision Cordless Ultrasonic Dissector 5 mmx39 cm - Covidien) and staplers for the vascular and biliary parts (Stapler Endo GIA - Covidien, Stapler Endo GIA Articulating Reload with Tri-Staple Technology 45 mm Vascular/Medium - Covidien). We used six reloads in one surgery and five in the remainder. Finally, the piece was removed through a medial incision.

FIGURE 4 Aspect of liver after ablation: hemihepatectomy by open approach 

FIGURE 5 Hemihepatectomy by laparoscopic surgery 

All animals survived the procedures. There were no bleeding complications. The two pigs that underwent laparoscopic resection were sacrificed at the end of it.

There were no complications during the ablation period directly related to this procedure. However, during laparoscopic surgery, small areas of ablation have been observed outside the desired area, such as the spleen of the pig and asmall area in gallbladder (without perforation).

It was not necessary to suspend proceedings or take any action. CT with IV contrast after liver laparoscopic resection showed a good vascularized liver remnant (Figure 6A).

FIGURE 6 A) CT after laparoscopic hepatectomy; B) right hepatic lobe, right portal vein branch and gallbladder. 

In the macroscopic analysis of the pieces, the depth of the ablation was analyzed (Figure 6B).The hepatic hilum was respected. On the other hand, the correct position of the embolization material on the left portal vein could be also observed (Figure 6B).

DISCUSSION

In most of major liver resections, the percutaneous PVE is the gold standard to achieve the hypertrophy of FLR. Although it has a high success rate, it takes to much time to achieve hypertrophy, and meanwhile, the tumors could increse their size⁸ and if the FLR does not enhanced its volume enough, patients lose precious time. A complementary procedure for the PVE is the embolization of the ipsilateral hepatic vein. This can be done simultaneously with the PVE or sequentially. The former one has the disadvantage of being an expensive procedure with severe potential complications perfomed in many patients that would have been achieve the hipertrophy even without the hepatic vein embolization. The latter, has the same time issue as the PVE alone¹⁸

In this scenario, the introduction of the ALPPS technique showed to be a major change^8,12,21.. It has allowed to perform hepatectomies of greater parenchyma volume without presenting postoperative hepatic insufficiency and in much less time than PVE^4,7,20. Its disadvantage is being a major surgery in two stages, with a high percentage of associated morbidity and mortality. In order to reduce them, the original technique was modified by the development of the new mini-ALPPS technique²⁶ and later also performed by laparoscopy.

On the other hand, the radiofrequency ablation have shown an impressive progression in terms of equipment allowing to perfom liver partitioning in major liver surgery^5,6 as well as in the laparoscopic approach of ALLPS^11,13.

In this path, it seems that the development of a new procedure that could increase the FLR in a faster manner with a similar morbidiy and mortality than the PVE, would be the highest goal.

In the present study, wasdemonstrated that not only it is possible to perform the liver partition percutaneously but also the laparoscopic liver resection: both together makes PRALPPS technique. This brand new procedure has two potential benefits: it would reduce the time to achieve the FLR hipertrophy because it uses the same concept as the ALPPS technique and also would reduce its morbidity and mortality rates based on the evidence that the percutaneous procedures have less inflamatory response.

With respect to the limitations of the present study, we should mention that it was held with a small sample size, sufficient to demonstrate its feaseability but not for analize its safety. Regarding this, we experienced two posible complications: the unwanted ablation of the spleen and the gallbladder. It must take into account that most ALPPS procedures are related to right, non-left liver resections as in this study. In addition, the anatomical arrangement of the pig spleen is completely different to the human one. Beyond these special considerations, the correct position of the needle within the hepatic parenchyma when initiating the ablation is very important to avoid these problems²². Probably, the use of new needles with smaller ablation areas could be a potencial solution in the future.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous radiofrequency assisted liver partition with portal vein embolization (PRALLPS) is a feasible procedure. However, new studies to asses its security should be carried out.