Robotic Repeat Right Hepatectomy for Recurrent Colorectal Liver Metastasis

BackgroundRepeat hepatectomy often is required for primary and metastatic tumors. The purpose of this video was to present a robotic repeat hepatectomy for recurrent colorectal metastasis after multiple previous open surgeries.PatientA 64-year-old man underwent open left colectomy complicated by anastomotic leak. He was reoperated for colostomy, which was reverted. One year later, he underwent open metastasectomy. Recently, he presented a recurrence in the right liver, and a robotic right hepatectomy was indicated.TechniqueThis approach used five trocars. The operation began with adhesiolysis. The next step was to dissect and divide the right hepatic artery and the right portal vein. A retrohepatic tunnel is created on the right side of the inferior vena cava for a modified liver hanging maneuver. The liver was pulled upwards and liver transection resumed towards the right hepatic vein. The liver was divided with bipolar forceps under continuous saline irrigation. The right hepatic duct was found inside the liver and was divided. Finally, the right hepatic vein was divided inside the liver parenchyma using a vascular stapler, and robotic right hepatectomy was completed.ResultsThe operative time for docking was 10min; adhesiolysis took 90min while robotic right hepatectomy was completed in 240min. The Pringle maneuver was not used. Estimated blood loss was 150mL with no need for transfusion. Recovery was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the fifth postoperative day.ConclusionsRobotic repeat hepatectomy is feasible and safe in experienced hands and may have some advantages over laparoscopic and open repeat liver resections.