Laparoscopic liver resection

Background: This paper describes a 10-year experience of laparoseopic liver surgery, including several major hepatectomies for malignant tumours. Methods: Of 243 hepatectomies carried out between January 1995 and December 2004, 113 (46.5 per cent) were performed by laparoscopy and 89 were included in this retrospective study. Results: Twenty-four laparoscopic hepatectomies (27 percent) were for benign disease and 65 (73 percent) for malignant tumours, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in 16 patients and colorectal metastasis (CRM) in 41. Minor hepatectomy was performed in 51 patients and major hepatectomy (three or more Couinaud segments) in 38. Conversion to laparotomy was necessary in 12 patients and perioperative blood transfusion in eight. One patient with cirrhosis who underwent right hepatectomy for HCC with conversion to open surgery died 8 days after surgery. Major morbidity occurred in eight patients (16 percent) having minor hepatectomy and in 11 (29 per cent) of those having a major resection. The 3-year overall and disease-free survival rates for patients with CRM (mean follow-up 30 months) were 87 (11 patients at risk) and 51 (6 patients at risk) per cent respectively. Corresponding values for patients with HCC (mean follow-up 40 months) were 85 (10 patients at risk) and 68 (5 patients at risk) per cent. Conclusion: In experienced hands, the results of laparoscopic liver surgery are similar to those for laparotomy.