Outcomes of Different Surgical Resection Techniques for End-stage Hepatic Alveolar Echinococcosis with Inferior Vena Cava Invasion

Background: Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) lesions with inferior vena cava (IVC) invasion require combined resection of the liver and IVC. The outcomes of different surgical treatments, including in situ, ante situm and ex vivo resection, remain unclear.

Methods: A total of 71 consecutive HAE patients who underwent hepatectomy with retrohepatic IVC resection were included. The patients were divided into ex vivo liver resection and autotransplantation (ERAT) group (n = 45) and in vivo resection group (n = 26). These techniques were assessed for feasibility and short- and long-term outcomes.

Results: There were no significant differences with respect to postoperative complications and mortality between the ERAT and in vivo resection groups. The causes of mortality were liver failure in 3 patients, hemorrhagic shock in 1 patient, intra-abdominal bleeding in 1 patient, and acute cerebral hemorrhage in 1 patient. During a median of 22 months followed-up time, 2 patients developed ascites because of venous outflow stenosis, and 1 patient developed biliary stenosis in the ERAT group. The distant metastasis, local recurrence, and mortality rates were 0%, 1.4%, and 8.5%, respectively.

Conclusion: Combined liver resection and reconstruction of the IVC can be safely performed in selected patients with in situ, ante situm, and ex vivo resection.