[Identical oncological results with lower perioperative morbidity after laparoscopic liver resection : Results of a...

Laparoscopic liver resection belongs to the standard repertoire in hepatobiliary surgery. The advantages and disadvantages are still the subject of controversial discussion.

The aim of the study was to compare the perioperative and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic and open liver resections.

All patients who underwent liver resection in the Department of Surgery at the certified liver center of the  municipal hospital Karlsruhe were analyzed. From a total of 268 hepatic resections 65 laparoscopic liver resections were identified and matched 1:1 with 65 open resections, based primarily on the extent of the resection and secondarily on diagnosis, age and gender of the patients. The demographic data, comorbidities, perioperative and long-term outcomes were compared.

Both groups had comparable demographic parameters and comorbidities. Operation time, duration of intensive care stay and percentage of negative resection margins were comparable in both groups. The 30-day mortality was 0% and 90-day mortality 1.5% in both groups. The laparoscopic group showed lower intraoperative and postoperative transfusion rates (p < 0.001), shorter hospital stay (p < 0.001) and lower overall morbidity (p < 0.001). The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall and tumor-free survival of patients with colorectal liver metastases was comparable (p = 0.984; p = 0.947). The same applied for patients with hepatocellular carcinomas (p = 0.803; p = 0.935).

Laparoscopic liver resections have identical long-term outcomes with lower overall morbidity. Laparoscopic liver resections offer advantages regarding transfusion rates, length of hospital stay and postoperative complications.