Since colon cancer often metastasises to the liver, readers (especially
British) may find this interesting:
http://www.nice.org.uk/ipcat.aspx?o=239507

The most common indication for laparoscopic liver resection is a
solitary liver metastasis from a colorectal cancer, but it may also be
used for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and for benign liver tumours or
cysts.

Open surgical resection, to remove the affected part of the liver, is
the standard treatment for patients with localised colorectal liver
metastases and HCC. This procedure is performed through a large incision
across the abdomen. A number of alternative therapies have also been
developed, including hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy, percutaneous
ethanol injection, cryoablation, microwave coagulation therapy,
laser-induced thermotherapy, and radiofrequency ablation.

Benign liver tumours are usually treated only if they are causing
symptoms. The standard treatment is open surgical resection.

Laparoscopic liver resection is performed under a general anaesthetic.
The abdomen is insufflated with carbon dioxide and a number of small
incisions are made to provide access for the laparoscope and surgical
instruments. The resected liver is enclosed in a bag and removed,
through a small incision in the umbilical area.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic liver resection allows the surgeon to place
one hand in the abdomen while maintaining the pneumoperitoneum required
for laparoscopy. An additional small incision is made which is just
large enough for the surgeon's hand and an airtight 'sleeve' device is
used to form a seal around the incision.


- Darren



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