Laparoscopic liver resection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND We have continued to develop laparoscopic hepatectomy as a means of surgical therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS We evaluated the degree of invasiveness and analyzed the outcomes of laparoscopic hepatectomy compared with open hepatectomy for HCC. RESULTS There were notable differences with respect to blood loss and operating time compared with open hepatectomy cases. Patients started walking and eating significantly earlier in the laparoscopic hepatectomy group, and these more rapid recoveries allowed shorter hospitalizations. On the Estimation of Physiologic Ability and Surgical Stress (E-PASS) scoring system, there was no difference in preoperative risk. However, a significant difference was seen in the surgical stress and comprehensive risk scores between the open hepatectomy and laparoscopic hepatectomy groups. Concerning the survival rate and disease-free survival rate, there were no significant differences between procedures. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic hepatectomy avoids some of the disadvantages of open hepatectomy and is beneficial for patient quality of life (QOL) as a minimally invasive procedure if the operative indications are appropriately based on preoperative liver function and the location and size of HCC.