Background: Operative ultrasonography for orienting the direction of transection of the liver is often useful in obtaining an adequate disease-free surgical margin. We have devised a new technique for hepatectomy guided by needles inserted under ultrasonographic guidance.
Methods: One hundred two hepatectomies were performed between January 1987 and September 1991, and the hepatectomy with this technique was begun in January 1989.
Results: In 10 of 29 limited hepatectomies performed in the first phase of the period in which this technique was not available, disease-free surgical margin of less than 1 cm was left because of inadequately directed division. Disease-free surgical margin of more than 1 cm was left in 18 of 23 limited hepatectomies in the second phase of the period in which this technique was available. In the other five operations where disease-free surgical margin of less than 1 cm was left, carcinomas were located too close to the major hepatic vessels. The average blood loss during the limited hepatectomies was reduced by this technique. Two-year and 3-year survival of patients undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma were more favorable in the second phase than in the first phase.
Conclusions: Although the difference between the two groups was not significant, this technique is useful in performing adequate transection of the liver.