Ex situ resection techniques and liver autotransplantation: last resource for otherwise unresectable malignancy

Abstract

Ex vivo liver resection and hepatic autotransplantation allow treatment of otherwise unresectable hepatobiliary malignancy and expand the role of liver surgery. Few series are reported in the English literature, and they are mainly case reports focused on the technical aspects of the procedure more than on the long-term results. Postoperative mortality rate is still high, as well as early tumor recurrence; recently, improvement in outcomes in selected cases is being reported. The aim of this study is to describe our experience with two cases where we applied the combination of ex situ resection with hepatic autotransplantation for intended cure of two otherwise untreatable malignancies. These two cases are the paradigm of the possibility of performing extreme salvage procedures after the failure of more conventional treatments, allowing improvement in survival and quality of life in a controversial clinical scenario. This should be performed only AT referral centers for liver resection surgery and liver transplantation in light of the technical refinements reached in the era of living-related liver transplantation.