A comparative study of the short-term outcome following open and laparoscopic liver resection of colorectal metastases.
BACKGROUND
Laparoscopic resection of liver tumors is feasible, but few studies have compared short-term outcome of the laparoscopic approach to that of a conventional technique.


METHODS
Eighteen tumor resections performed during 14 procedures (14 patients) by conventional surgery were compared to 21 similar resections performed laparoscopically during 15 procedures (13 patients). All patients had colorectal liver metastases.


RESULTS
No perioperative mortality occurred. Surgical time, peroperative bleeding and blood transfusion requirement were similar in the two groups. The resection margin was involved by tumor tissue in one specimen laparoscopically resected and in two specimens conventionally resected (p = 0.58). Patients operated laparoscopically remained in hospital for median 4 days, while patients operated conventionally stayed median 8.5 days (p <0.001). Patients operated laparoscopically required less opioid medication than patients having conventional surgery (median 1 vs 5 days; p = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Short-term outcome of laparoscopic liver resection compares to that of conventional surgery, with the additional benefits derived from minimal invasive therapy.
Mala
T
T
Interventional Centre/Surgical Department, National Hospital, The University of Oslo, 0027 Oslo, Norway. tom.mala@rikshospitalet.no
Edwin
B
B
Gladhaug
I
I
Fosse
E
E
Søreide
O
O
Bergan
A
A
Mathisen
O
O
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000379:methods; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D013537:Sutures; D013997:Time Factors; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000150:complications; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014472:Umbilicus / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen