Laennec's approach for central liver resection of colorectal cancer liver metastasis adjacent to the hepatic hilum that occurred 10 years after colectomy: A case report

Int J Surg Case Rep. 2024 Mar:116:109327. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.109327. Epub 2024 Feb 1.

Abstract

Introduction and importance: Colorectal cancer ranks as one of the most common cancer globally. About half of the patients experience a disease recurrence in the form of сolorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) within the first 5 years of the course of the disease. However, there are rare cases of delayed onset of liver metastasis, that occur after cessation of standard follow-up.

Case presentation: A 38-year-old woman was referred to our institute with a metastatic liver mass adjacent to the liver hilum. The patient had sigmoid colectomy 10 years ago. After 6 cycles of chemotherapy, she underwent a central liver resection: Sg4, Sg5, Sg8v + middle hepatic vein with surgical skeletonization of 1st and 2nd order hepatic pedicles. The patient was discharged on 5th post-operative day. After 18th month of follow-up, the patient was alive without any signs of recurrence.

Clinical discussion: The recommended follow-up of colorectal cancer patients is 5 years. However, there are rare instances of late metachronous liver recurrences, that suggest the necessity of more continuous surveillance. For patients with CRLM surgical resection is considered the most radical treatment of choice. The anatomy of Laennec's capsule allows the precise isolation of hepatic pedicles and can facilitate anatomical hepatectomy.

Conclusion: We present a rare case report of borderline-resectable CRLM successfully treated with central liver resection with application of Laennec's approach a decade after the resection of a primary colorectal tumor.

Keywords: Case report; Colorectal cancer liver metastasis; Laennec's capsule; Late metachronous metastasis; Liver resection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports