LAPAROSCOPIC INTRAARTERIAL CATHETER IMPLANTATION FOR REGIONAL CHEMOTHERAPY OF LIVER METASTASIS

In patients with unresectable metastatic disease confined to the liver , intra-arterial regional chemotherapy with implantable systems is an attractive option. Since April 1992, laparoscopic colorectal resection s have been performed in our institution. Within this series of patien ts, three cases with bilateral liver metastasis from colon cancer were observed and underwent laparoscopic intra-arterial catheter implantat ion in the gastroduodenal artery for regional chemotherapy. In two pat ients the metastases were synchronous, and in both cases a laparoscopi c colon resection was also performed, for tumors located in the cecum and in the sigmoid colon, respectively. The laparoscopic surgical tech nique for intra-arterial catheter implantation is described in detail. In this limited experience the procedure, from a purely technical poi nt of view, was not considered difficult and was completed in 70 min o n average. No complications were observed and the patient with metachr onous liver metastasis was discharged on 3rd postoperative day.