Laparoscopic intra-arterial 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 in an attractive option. Since April 1992, laparoscopic colorectal resections have been performed in our institution. Within this series of patients, three cases with bilateral liver metastasis from colon cancer were observed and underwent laparoscopic intra-arterial catheter implantation in the gastroduodenal artery for regional chemotherapy. In two patients the metastases were synchronous, and in both cases a laparoscopic colon resection was also performed, for tumors located in the cecum and in the sigmoid colon, respectively. The laparoscopic surgical technique for intra-arterial catheter implantation is described in detail. In this limited experience the procedure, from a purely technical point of view, was not considered difficult and was completed in 70 min on average. No complications were observed and the patient with metachronous liver metastasis was discharged on 3rd postoperative day.