Comparison of open and laparoscopic live donor left lateral sectionectomy

Background: The present study was undertaken to determine whether laparoscopic live donor left lateral sectionectomy (LLS) in paediatric liver transplantation is a feasible, safe and reproducible procedure, compared with open live donor left lateral sectionectomy (OLS). Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of all consecutive live donor procedures for paediatric liver transplantation performed between May 2008 and October 2009. All live donor hepatectomies were carried out by a single surgeon. Results: A total of 26 live donor procedures for paediatric liver transplantation were performed, of which 11 were LLS and 11 OLS; four left hepatectomies were excluded. The LLS group had a significantly shorter hospital stay (mean(s.d.) 6.9(0.3) versus 9.8(0.9) days; P = 0.001) and time to oral diet (2.1(0.3) versus 2.7(0.4) days; P = 0.012). Duration of operation, blood loss, warm ischaemia time and out-of-pocket medical costs were comparable between groups. There was no death in either donor group and only one complication, a wound seroma, in the OLS group. Conclusion: LLS seemed to be a safe, feasible and reproducible procedure, and was associated with reduced hospital stay.