Hyper accuracy three-dimensional (HA3D™) technology for planning complex liver resections: a preliminary single center experience

Three-dimensional visualization technology (3DVT) has been recently introduced to achieve a precise preoperative planning of liver surgery. The aim of this observational study was to assess the accuracy of 3DVT for complex liver resections. 3DVT with hyper accuracy three-dimensional (HA3D™) technology was introduced at our institution on February 2020. Anatomical characteristics were collected from two-dimensional imaging (2DI) and 3DVT, while intraoperative and postoperative outcomes were recorded prospectively. A total of 62 patients were enrolled into the study. 3DVT was able to study tumor extension and liver anatomy, identifying at least one vascular variation in 37 patients (59.7%). Future remnant liver volume (FRLV) was measured using 2DI and 3DVT. The paired samples t test assessed positive correlation between the two methods (p < 0.001). At least one vessel was suspected to be invaded by the tumor in 8 (15.7%) 2DI cases vs 16 (31.4%) 3DVT cases, respectively. During surgery, vascular invasion was detected in 17 patients (33.3%). A total of 73 surgical procedures were proposed basing on 2DI, including 2 alternatives for 16 patients. After 3DVT, the previously planned procedure was changed in 15 cases (29.4%), due to the clearer information provided. A total of 51 patients (82%) underwent surgery. The most frequent procedure was right hepatectomy (33.3%), followed by left hepatectomy (23.5%) and left trisectionectomy (13.7%). Vascular resection and reconstruction were performed in 10 patients (19.6%) and portal vein was resected in more than half of these cases (66.7%). 3DVT leads to a more detailed and tailored approach to complex liver surgery, improving surgeons’ knowledge of liver anatomy and accuracy of liver resection.