title: Laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy: surgical technique and our results from Leeds.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy is increasingly becoming the accepted approach for resection of tumors in hepatic segments II and III, the variations in surgical technique exist.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our technique relies on mobilization of the left lateral sector followed by extracorporeal control of the portal pedicle allowing intermittent occlusion when needed. The parenchyma is thinned, exposing the inflow and outflow allowing application of endoscopic staplers under direct vision for parenchymal transection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven patients underwent left lateral sectionectomy between 2000 and November 2007 and had a median postoperative stay of 3 days. Two patients had to be converted early on.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Left lateral sectionectomy using this approach appears to be safe and reproducible, and this technique should be considered for patients with tumors in hepatic segments II and III.
authors.affiliation: Hepatobiliary and Transplant Service, St. James University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom. aamirzkhan@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Aamir Z
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: K Raj
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: J Peter A
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Lodge
authors.forename: Giles J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Toogood
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D018579:Patient Selection; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017792:Surgical Stapling; D016896:Treatment Outcome