Tailored Strategy for Dissecting the Glissonean Pedicle in Laparoscopic Right Anterior Sectionectomy: The Extrahepatic, Intrahepatic, and Transfissural Glissonean Approaches (with Video)

Abstract

Background

The Glissonean approach is a widely used anatomic liver resection technique, which can be divided into three types: the extrahepatic, intrahepatic, and transfissural approaches. This report describes the technical details and surgical outcomes of these laparoscopic right anterior sectionectomy (lap-RAS) approaches.

Methods

Using the extrahepatic Glissonean approach, the posterior extremity of the cystic plate is dissected and divided. The hilar plate is detached from Laennec’s capsule covering the liver parenchyma. The gap between the plate system and Laennec’s capsule is entered. Without liver parenchymal transection, the right anterior Glissonean pedicle (RAGP) is dissected extrahepatically. Using the intrahepatic Glissonean approach, the posterior extremity of the cystic plate is divided, and the hilar plate is detached, which may decrease the visibility of the RAGP. The RAGP then is dissected intrahepatically through the minor parenchymal transection around the cystic plate. When the extra- or intrahepatic Glissonean approach fails, the transfissural Glissonean approach can be used, with the RAGP dissected through the major parenchymal transection along the main portal fissure.

Results

Three patients underwent lap-RAS using the Glissonean approach. The median operation time was 330 min (range, 300–380 min), and the median estimated blood loss was 160 mL (range, 80–180 mL). No cases of postoperative morbidity or mortality were observed.

Conclusion

The feasibility of the Glissonean approach in lap-RAS could be increased by appropriate selection of the extrahepatic, intrahepatic, and transfissural Glissonean approaches.