Laparoscopic left lateral liver resection is a safe procedure in cirrhotic patients

Abstract

Background: Patients suffering from liver cirrhosis have a higher risk for postoperative liver failure and other complications. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the postoperative course of all consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic left lateral liver resection between July 2009 and September 2016 in our center and compared patients suffering from Child A liver cirrhosis with non-cirrhotic patients. Results: Five of 31 patients suffered from Child A cirrhosis at the time of resection. 8 patients were excluded due to multivisceral resections. Cirrhotic patients were significantly more often male (p=0.027) and significantly older (median 75 years vs. 48 years; p=0.009) compared to non-cirrhotic patients. Length of operation was not significantly different in both groups (non-cirrhotic: median 193 min. vs. non cirrhotic: median 222 min.; p=0.752). While five non-cirrhotic patients (19.2%) had a postoperative complication (grade II (n=3), grade 3a (n=1), grade IIIb (n=1), no complications were observed in the cirrhotic group. No morbidity was observed in neither of the groups. Length of stay did not significantly differ between the two groups (median 6 days vs. median 7 days; p=0.129). Conclusion: Laparoscopic left lateral liver resection is feasible and safe in patients suffering from Child A liver cirrhosis. Although patients in this group were significantly older compared to non cirrhotic patients, the length of operation, postoperative morbidity and length of hospital stay did not significantly differ.