Laparoscopic surgery for giant liver hemangiomas: a report of 40 patients

Objective To analyze the clinical experience of laparoscopic surgery for giant liver hemangiomas. Methods The clinical data of 40 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for giant liver hemangiomas from August 2012 to January 2018 in the China-Japan Friendship Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The diameters of the liver hemangiomas were more than 10 cm for all the patients. The liver functions of all the patients were Child-Pugh class A. The follow-up was up to the end of February 2018. Results Laparoscopic treatment of giant liver hemangioma was successfully performed in 37 patients. Three patients were converted to open hepatectomy. The mean diameter of the giant liver hemangiomas was (10.8±1.3) cm (ranged 10.0~15.0 cm). The mean operative time for laparoscopic therapy was (154.7±68.0) min (range 70~390 min). The mean intraoperative blood loss was 200 (100~400) ml. 20 patients received autologous blood transfusion. Of these 2 patients received in addition allogeneic blood transfusion. The postoperative hospital stay was (6.9±2.0) days (range 4~14 days). Postoperative complications occurred in 3 patients (8.1%). Two patients developed postoperative pleural effusion and one pelvic effusion. Two patients responded well to puncture drainage and one to conservation management. There was no postoperative hemorrhage, bile leakage or air embolism. All patients were followed-up and no liver hemangioma recurrence was detected. Conclusion Laparoscopic surgery was a safe and efficacious procedure in selected patients with giant liver hemangioma. Key words: Liver hemangioma; Laparoscopic surgery; Hepatectomy