Background: ALPPS (Associating Liver Partition and Portal vein ligation for Staged hepatectomy) is a new surgical approach for
the treatment of liver tumors. It is indicated in cases where the future liver remnant is not sufficient to maintain postoperative liver
function. We report a totally laparoscopic ALPPS with selective hepatic artery clamping. Pneumoperitoneum itself results in up to
53% of portal vein flow and selective hepatic artery clamping can reduce blood loss while maintaining hepatocellular function.
Therefore, the combination of both techniques may result in effective control of bleeding with no damage in the liver function that may
have direct impact in the result of ALPPS procedure.
Methods: A 65-year-old man with colorectal liver metastases in all liver segments, except liver segment 1 (S1), were evaluated as
unresectable. He underwent chemotherapy with objective response and multidisciplinary board decided for ALPPS procedure. First
stage was performed entirely by laparoscopy and consisted of enucleation of metastases from segments 2 and 3, ligation of the right
portal vein and liver splitting under selective common hepatic artery clamping. The second stage was done 3 weeks later and
consisted of laparoscopic right trisectionectomy by laparoscopy.
Results: Operative time was 250 and 200minutes, respectively. Estimated blood loss was 150 and 100mL. There was no need for
transfusion or hospitalization in intensive care. He was discharged on the 3rd and 5th postoperative day, respectively. Recovery was
uneventful after both stages and patient did not present any sign of liver failure. Elevation of liver enzymes was minimal. Computerized
tomography (CT) scan before second stage showed a liver hypertrophy of 53%, sFLR was 0.37 before second stage, or 33% of the
total liver volume. CT scan shows no residual liver disease and optimum liver regeneration. Patient is well with no evidence of the
disease 11 months after the procedure.
Conclusions: Totally laparoscopic ALPPS is a feasible and safe approach for selected patients with liver tumors. The hypertrophy
of the remaining liver was adequate and sequential procedures were performed without morbidity and no mortality. Selective hepatic
artery clamping seems to be an interesting solution to decrease intraoperative blood loss without the harsh effect of Pringle
maneuver.