title: LESS technique for liver resection: the progress of the mini-invasive approach: a single-centre experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During the last years, the safety and efficacy of the laparoscopic approach for liver masses located in the left lobe have been demonstrated, encouraging the mini-invasive approach and, in more recent times, the LESS technique (Laparo Endoscopic Single Site), in an attempt to reduce the biological invasiveness related to surgical trauma.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2009 to December 2010, 39 patients underwent laparoscopic liver resection at our institution. In 14 of these, the LESS technique was used. The aim of our study is to evaluate the short-term outcome of this group of patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We recorded the following results: Mean operative time of 187 min (range 145-420 min), mean intraoperative blood loss of 214 ml (range 50-700 ml), postoperative morbidity rate of 21.4%, one postoperative death (related to acute heart failure related to severe aortic valve stenosis). Excluding this patient from the statistical analysis, the morbidity rate was 14.3%. The median hospital stay was five days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The LESS technique for liver resections is safe and effective in selected patients and in centres with high expertise in laparoscopic liver surgery.
authors: Department of Surgery, Liver Unit, Scientific Institute H San Raffaele, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy. cipriani.federica@hsr.it
authors: Federica
authors: F
authors: Cipriani
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Catena
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Ratti
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Paganelli
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Ferla
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Aldrighetti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome