To explore the application value of preoperative bedside ultrasound in the surgical operation of primary liver cancer (PLC).

Clinical data of 23 patients with PLC in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from October 2016 to May 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the local ethical committee approval was received. Among 23 patients, 15 cases were male and 8 female, aged from 27 to 73 years with a median age of 53 years. Bedside ultrasound examination was performed in the patients. The liver was scanned and examined by Doppler ultrasound via the xiphoid process, the right costal margin and the intercostal space, and the results were compared with the preoperative imaging data.

All the patients received bedside ultrasound examination within preoprative 24 h. The left, middle and right hepatic venous structures of the second porta could be displayed clearly by the scaning from xiphoid process, and the left hepatic segment where the lesions located could be further displayed. The scan form right costal margin showed the anatomical relationship of primary porta and the anatomy of portal vein. The scan from intercostal space could identify the position of lesions in the right lobe and determine the intrahepatic distribution of middle and right hepatic veins and right portal vein, and their relationship with lesions. The lesions located in segment Ⅱ and Ⅲ of 6 cases, segment Ⅳ of 5 cases, segment Ⅴ of 2 cases, segment Ⅴ and Ⅷ of 3 cases and segment Ⅵ of 7 cases. The findings of preoperative bedside ultrasound was inconsistent with that of preoperative CT and MRI. The operation was aborted in 1 case and operative plan was changed in 1 case.

Preoperative bedside ultrasound can provide more anatomical information and lesion distribution for liver surgery, which can shorten the intraoperative exploration time and adjust the surgical plan timely.