A diversion loop ileostomy was constructed. There were no locoregional lymph node metastases detected in any of the resected primary tumor specimens, and the patient did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy, in accordance with Norwegian national guidelines www.selleckchem.com/products/VX-770.html for colorectal cancer [3]. A small, synchronous liver metastasis was detected at time of colorectal surgery, classifying the patient with stage IV disease. The 15mm tumor was located subcapsular in segment 5 on the posterior aspect of the liver immediately lateral to the gallbladder (Figure 1). The patient was referred to our hospital for liver resection 6 months after surgery for the primary tumors. The delay was due to a prolonged postoperative course following the colorectal resections. Figure 1 CT scan showing the metastasis located in segment 5, in close relation to the gall bladder.

The liver resection was planned as a combined procedure in combination with reversal of the loop ileostomy. The patient was placed in a prone position. The ileostomy was dissected free from the surrounding tissue. A small bowel resection was necessary, and an end-to-end anastomosis was made. After completion of the anastomosis, a Laparo-Endoscopic Single-Site (LESS) tri-port trocar (Olympus) was introduced through the stoma site. Pneumoperitoneum was established at 10mmHg. A percutaneous suture was introduced in the epigastrium and secured in the fissure between segments 3 and 4 in order to retract the liver upwards for proper visualisation of the tumor.

A 5mm Deflectable-Tip EndoEYE camera (Olympus) was used for visualization as were specially designed curved instruments to obtain adequate exposure and triangulation. Instrumentation is shown in Figure 2(a). The resection margins were determined by intraoperative ultrasonography (Aloca, Wallingford, CT), the liver capsula was divided by an ultrasonic cutting and coagulation device (SonoSurg, Olympus), and the liver parenchyma was divided by the LigaSure (Covidien) bipolar tissue sealing device as previously described [2]. Intraoperative bleeding was 120mL. Tumor margins were free with a minimum distance of 5mm. The stoma aperture was closed with two separate layers of fascia suture and the skin was closed by a continous pursestring suture (Figure 2(b)). Figure 2 (a) Instrumentation through the LESS port. (b) Postoperative cosmetic result showing a single scar. No surgical complications occurred but due to a misfortunate postoperative fluid overload in combination with the patients pre-existing kidney failure, he developed a moderate pulmonary oedema which was resolved in two days with temporary respiratory support. He was discharged to his local Batimastat hospital on the 5th postoperative day and went home seven days after surgery in good condition.