To explore the application value of three-dimensional (3D) visualization technology in preoperative planning of precise hepatectomy.

Clinical data of 19 patients (15 males, 4 females; mean age: 45±4) with hepatocelular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing precise hepatectomy in First Department of Hepatobilliary Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University from January 2013 to December 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the ethical committee approval was received. The patients received 64-slice CT scan before operation to get the sub-millimeter CT scan data, then the data were imported into the 3D visualization software MI-3DVS. The image segmentation, 3D reconstruction, individual liver segmentation, volume calculation, virtual resection plane design, surgical planning were conducted respectively.

All the patients underwent 3D reconstruction of liver, liver segmentation and volume calculation. The reconstruction results showed that the interhepatic vasculatures can be indentified to over level 3. The 3D anatomical morphology of interhepatic vascular system, individual liver segmentation, tumor location, size and quantity could be clearly displayed. The compliance rate of the actual intraoperative findings and preoperative 3D reconstruction results was 100% (19/19). The preoperative plan was defined according to the individual 3D reconstruction results. And the compliance rate of the actual operative process and preoperative plan was 100% (19/19). All the operations were performed successfully and no death case occurred during the perioperative period. Six patients suffered hydrothorax after operation and were cured by drainage.

Three-dimensional visualization technology is helpful for the accurate preoperative diagnosis of liver tumors, and the surgical planning benefits the precise operation.