OBJECTIVETo assess the value of abdominal three-dimensional medical image visualization system (MI-3DVS) in assisting complicated hepatectomy.

METHODSTwenty-four patients undergoing complicated hepatectomy for hepatic carcinoma or hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia were enrolled in this study. Three-dimensional models of the organs, vessels and tumors were reconstructed with MI-3DVS, and virtual operations were carried out to assess the feasibility of hepatectomy. The diameter of the liver tumors, intraoperative blood loss and transfusion, complications, in-hospital mortality rate, and one-year survival rate were analyzed in these cases.

RESULTSThe operations were safely completed in all the cases without perioperative deaths. The mean diameter of liver tumor was 9.8∓4.3 cm, and the median volumes of intraoperative blood loss and transfusion were 800 ml and 600 ml, respectively, with a blood transfusion rate of 91.7% (22/24). The incidence of complications was 29.2% (7/24), and the one-year survival rate was 37.5%.

CONCLUSIONThree-dimensional techniques such as volumetric analysis and risk evaluation of residual liver blood supply and drainage can increase the accuracy of surgical planning and improve the safety of complicated hepatectomy.