title: Laparoendoscopic single site (LESS) surgery for left-lateral hepatic sectionectomy as an alternative to traditional laparoscopy: case-matched analysis from a single center.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopy is considered the "gold standard" to perform left-lateral sectionectomy with results identical to those of open surgery, yielding decreased postoperative pain and disability, reduced hospital stay, and shortened patient recovery time. As the emphasis on minimizing the invasiveness of surgical techniques continues, laparoendoscopic single site (LESS) surgery is quickly evolving. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of laparoscopic left-lateral sectionectomy performed using the traditional approach or LESS approach with a case-matched analysis for tumor size, type of resection, and surgical indications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen patients who underwent LESS left-lateral sectionectomy are considered the study group (LESS group) and compared with 13 patients who underwent left-lateral sectionectomy with traditional laparoscopic approach (conventional group).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between groups for length of surgery (165 min in conventional group vs. 195 min in LESS group), blood loss (150 mL in conventional group vs. 175 mL in LESS group), conversion to open surgery, histological tumor exposure, and requirements of postoperative analgesics. One patient in the LESS group died of cardiac failure due to an unknown severe aortic valve stenosis. No differences were recorded for postoperative complications (23.1% in both groups) and median length of postoperative stay (4 days in both groups).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For left-lateral hepatic sectionectomy, LESS surgery is technically feasible and as safe as traditional laparoscopic surgery in terms of intraoperative and postoperative results, even though requiring both hepatobiliary and laparoscopic technique experience.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Hepatobiliary Surgery Unit, Vita-Salute S. Raffaele University, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milano, MI, Italy. aldrighetti.luca@hsr.it
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aldrighetti
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ratti
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Catena
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pulitanò
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferla
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cipriani
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology