Laparoscopic resection of hepatic colorectal metastases

Liver resection for secondary malignancy has become the standard of care in appropriately staged patients, offering 5-year survival rates of >40%. Reports of laparoscopic liver resection have been published with increasing frequency over the last few years. In these small series approximately one-third of all operations have been for malignancy, but survival figures cannot be assessed yet.

A retrospective review of all laparoscopic liver resections performed by four surgeons in Brisbane between 1997 and 2004 was done. Follow-up was by regular patient review and telephone confirmation.

Of 84 laparoscopic liver resections, 33 (39%) were for malignancy; 28 of these were for metastases (22 colorectal). Thirteen patients had left lateral sectionectomy with minimal morbidity; nine right hepatectomies were attempted and six cases of segmental or subsegmental resection were performed. Survival rates in 12 patients followed for 2 years with colorectal secondaries were 75% with 67% disease-free.

Laparoscopic liver resection is feasible in highly selected cases of malignant disease. Patients need to be appropriately staged and surgeons need a broad experience of open liver surgery and advanced laparoscopic procedures.