Clinical analyses of laparoscopic hepatectomy for liver neoplasms: a report of 21 cases

Abstract

The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed for 21 cases of liver neoplasms undergoing laparoscopic hepatectomy from December 2007 to October 2012. Among 11 cases of borderline hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (1.0-9.0 cm), 6 of them were of micro hepatocellular carcinoma (MHCC) with a diameter ≤2 cm. There were 10 cases of borderline hepatic benign tumor, including liver hemangioma (n=7), hepatic adenoma (n=1), liver lymphoma (n=1) and liver focal necrosis (n=1). According to Couinaud's liver segmentation method, neoplasm was located on segment Ⅲ (n=13), segment Ⅳ (n=6), segment Ⅴ (n=1) and segment Ⅵ (n=1). Laparoscopic hepatectomy was successful in all patients. There was neither conversion into open approach nor postoperative complications of bile leakage, air embolism or perioperative mortality, etc. The mean operative duration was (120 ± 30) minutes, average hemorrhagic volume (165±79) ml and normal diet & ambulation at Day 1-2 post-operation. The average postoperative hospitalization stay was (16±10)days and 1-year survival rate 100%. The parameters of leucocyte, liver enzymes, albumin and bilirubin returned to normal at Week 1 post-operation. Once a reasonable surgical indication is selected, laparoscopic resection is both safe and effective for peripheral micro hepatocellular carcinoma. Key words: Liver neoplasms; Laparoscopy