Minimally Invasive / Robotic Surgery for Hepatobiliary Cancer

Minimally invasive liver surgery (MILS), including laparoscopic liver surgery and robotic liver surgery, has come a long way in the management of primary liver tumors. This article summarizes current evidence and institutional experience regarding the role of MILS in primary liver tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. Compared with open liver surgery, MILS provides equivalent oncologic outcomes with improved perioperative results. Robotic platforms further extend the feasibility of complex resections requiring fine dissection or biliary reconstruction. Technical aspects of MILS and innovations used at our institution are also discussed in this review.