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Laparoscopic versus Open Liver Resection: A Matched-Pair Case Control Study

  • Original Article
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Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery

Abstract

Background

Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) has become an increasingly popular operation; however, its theoretical benefits remain unproven. The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative outcome study between LLR and matched-pair open liver resections (OLR).

Methods

Sixty five patients underwent attempted LLR from 1998 through 2008; 52 of which were completed laparoscopically. Patients who underwent OLR prior to 1998 were matched to laparoscopic cases for demographics, comorbidities, diagnosis, tumor characteristics, procedure, and background liver. Perioperative and oncologic outcomes were compared between the two groups. Analyses were performed excluding and including conversion cases.

Results

Characteristics were comparable between both groups. LLR was associated with significant reductions in estimated blood loss, frequency of transfusion, frequency of Pringle maneuver, postoperative morbidity, time to recovery, length of hospital stay, and incidence of incisional hernia. For patients with malignant tumors, there were no positive surgical margins or local recurrence in either group and the overall pattern of recurrence was similar.

Conclusion

For well-selected patients, LLR is a feasible operation that does not compromise operative or oncologic outcomes. While LLR was associated with some benefits, these can only be definitively proven in a randomized controlled trial.

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Abbreviations

LLR:

Laparoscopic liver resection

OLR:

Open liver resection

EBL:

Estimated blood loss

CVP:

Central venous pressure

HALLR:

Hand-assisted laparoscopic liver resection

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Authors and Affiliations

Authors

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Correspondence to Michael I. D’Angelica.

Additional information

Author contributions

Conception and design: K. Ito, D’Angelica

Acquisition of data: K. Ito, Are

Analysis and interpretation of data: K. Ito, H. Ito, D’Angelica

Drafting of the manuscript: K. Ito, Are, D’Angelica

Critical revision of the manuscript: D’Angelica, H. Ito, Allen, Fong, DeMatteo, Jarnagin

Statistical expertise: K. Ito, H. Ito

Supervision: D’Angelica

This study was presented at the 24th Annual SSAT Research Conference on May 30th, 2009, Chicago, IL and at the 50th Annual SSAT Meeting on June 2, 2009, Chicago, IL.

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Ito, K., Ito, H., Are, C. et al. Laparoscopic versus Open Liver Resection: A Matched-Pair Case Control Study. J Gastrointest Surg 13, 2276–2283 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-009-0993-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-009-0993-5

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