Comparison of pure laparoscopic and open living donor right hepatectomy after a learning curve

This study aims to compare the early outcomes between pure laparoscopic living donor right hepatectomy (PLDRH) and open living donor right hepatectomy (ODRH) after those learning curve. Our analysis was based on 78 consecutive cases of living liver donor, who underwent right hepatectomy, of which 43 underwent ODRH and 35 PLDRH. The learning curve for each group was analyzed. Donor characteristics were comparable between the two groups. Two donors in the PLDRH required conversion to an open due to bleeding and large graft size (open conversion rate: 6.06%). The following outcomes during the study period were comparable between the two groups: operative time (P = .64); estimated blood loss (EBL; P = .86); intra-operative transfusion (P = .57); hospital stay (P = .41); and postoperative complications (P = .51). The operative time stabilized for the ODRH group after 17 cases and for the PLDRH group after 15 cases. After the learning curve, the EBL was lower for PLDRH than ODRH (P = .04). Pure laparoscopic living donor right hepatectomy can be performed as safely as ODRH and with a lower volume of EBL once the surgeon has attained an appropriate level of learning.