BACKGROUND: The treatment for primary tumor in the caudate lobe of the liver is difficult because of its unique anatomical location. This study was undertaken to improve operative techniques and results by a new anatomical method of caudate lobectomy.
METHODS:  Clinical data of 16 patients who had had caudate lobectomy for the liver from January 1996 to November 2004 were retrospectively analyzed. The third porta hepatis anatomical method was performed in all 16 patients. Operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications were recorded. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of 13 patients with caudate lobe carcinoma were followed up. Anatomical status, operative routes, operative procedures, liver blood supply were evaluated.
RESULTS: The operation was successful in the 16 patients. The operative time was 255±70 minutes and blood loss 740±402 ml. None of the patients died from massive bleeding during the operation, nor did complications such as biliary fistula and liver failure occurred. In 13 patients with malignant tumor, 7 died from recurrence and metastasis of the tumor and the other 6 are still alive at the end of follow-up. One patient has survived for 6 years. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates in the 13 patients were 83.9%, 58.7% and 39.2%, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Caudate lobectomy by the third porta hepatis anatomical method can improve operative effect and increase the resection probability for solitary tumor in the caudate lobe.