title: Laparoscopic right hepatectomy: a challenging, but feasible, safe and efficient procedure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few centers are undertaking major laparoscopic liver resections, because of the well-recognized technical difficulties and lack of training opportunities.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors describe their technique for laparoscopic right hepatectomy, highlighting relevant details for accomplishing a safe and efficient procedure. Patients were chronologically divided into 2 groups to evaluate the impact of increasing experience on the surgical outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group I included 17 patients and group II 18 patients. The conversion rate to open or hybrid techniques significantly decreased from 36% in group I to 6% in group II (P = .03). The hospital stay decreased from a median of 6 days in group I to a median of 4 days in group II (P = .05). Complications occurred in 4 patients (11%), of whom 3 were in group I. The mortality was zero.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic right hepatectomy is a safe and efficient procedure when performed at specialized centers with extensive experience in hepatic surgery. Long-term training is necessary to acquire adequate expertise.
authors.affiliation: Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic and Laparoscopic Surgical Unit, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Neil William
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Pearce
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Fabio
authors.forename: Mabel Joey
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.forename: Shareef
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Syed
authors.forename: John Neil
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Primrose
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abu Hilal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications