Minimally invasive hepatic resection using laparoscopic surgery and minithoracotomy.

To our knowledge, we introduce a new technique to treat a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma having a main tumor and a small satellite nodule in segments IV and VI, respectively. The liver was laparoscopically mobilized; the dissection line was adequately exposed through a 12-cm anterior thoracic incision. Segment VI was resected without hilar dissection or parenchymal compression. The satellite nodule was coagulated with microwaves. The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery. This technique potentially alleviates postoperative adhesion and allows a minimally invasive surgery.