Clinical application of laparoscopic hepatectomy

Abstract

Objective To investigate the indications, techniques and results of laparoscopic hepatectomy. Methods The clinical data and follow-up results of 463 patients who received laparoscopic hepatectomy at our institute were retrospectively analyzed. Results From March 1, 2007 to March 31, 2011, 463 cases of laparoscopic hepatectomy were successfully carried out. Of the 463 patients,165 were with primary liver cancer, 29 with metastatic liver cancer, 143 with hepatic hemangioma, 81with hepatolithiasis and 45 with other benign liver diseases (including hepatic angiomyolipoma, hepatocellular adenoma, focal nodular hyperplasia and chronic liver abscess). The surgical approaches included laparoscopic left lateral lobectomy (93 cases), left hepatectomy (71 cases), extended left hepatectomy (4 cases), right hepatectomy (29 cases), right posterior lobectomy (24 cases), hepatectomy of segment Ⅵ (56 cases), extended right hepatectomy (2 cases), central hepatectomy (8 cases) and hepatectomy of segments Ⅶ/Ⅷ, Ⅳa, caudate lobe and the junction of segment Ⅵ and Ⅶ (41 case).Nonanntomic and wedge resection were performed on 121 patients, and combined resection on 14 patients. The mean operation time, blood loss, length of hospital stay and incidence of postoperative complications were (244.71 ± 105. 07) minutes, (460. 26±425.81) ml, (15.51 ±4.36) days and 9.29%, respectively. And no operative death occurred. In the 194 cases with malignant liver lesions,185 cases were followed up for 2 to 50 months. The 1 year and 3 year overall and disease free survival rate were 90. 8% and 87.9% , 84.2% and 73. 7% respectively. Conclusions As a means of minimally invasive surgical approach, laparoscopic hepatectomy can be selectively adopted for the treatment of all kinds of liver diseases which located at different parts of the liver, with the advantages of smaller trauma, quick recovery and cosmetic benefits. The short-term results of laparoscopic hepatectomy is superior to and its long-term results is equal to that of open surgery. Benign liver diseases, small hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic liver cancer are the good indications for laparoscopic hepatectomy. Key words: Laparoscopy; Hepatectomy; Liver neoplasmas; Hepatolithiasis