[Value of virtual surgery in arterial reconstruction in liver recipients with type II hepatic artery variation].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the value of virtual surgery in hepatic artery reconstruction in liver recipients with type II hepatic artery variation.


METHODS
A patient with cholangiocellular carcinoma and a healthy individual were scanned using 64-slice spiral CT, and image segmentation and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction were performed using an image processing system. The 3D models in STL format were then imported to the FreeForm Modeling System for smoothing and refinement. Hepatic artery reconstruction was performed in simulated liver transplantation using the virtual surgery system with force feedback (PHANTOM).


RESULTS
The reconstructed model contained the liver, hepatic arteries, biliary system, and bile duct tumor emboli and displayed the entire branching of the hepatic artery with type II variation. Using the virtual surgery system, arterial reconstruction was performed by anastomosing the donor celiac trunk and the recipient abdominal aorta with the virtual scalpel and needle.


CONCLUSIONS
The reconstructed model allows clearer views of the 3D structures of the arteries in the liver and helps in preoperative preparations and surgical planning of artery reconstruction during liver transplantation. This approach may also help reduce the surgical risks and potential complications.
Fang
Chi-hua
CH
Department of General Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China. fangch_dr@126.com
Lu
Chao-min
CM
Huang
Yan-peng
YP
Li
Xiao-feng
XF
Liao
Qi-guang
QG
Cheng
Bin
B
D003198:Computer Simulation; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008875:Middle Aged; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed