title: Robot-assisted laparoscopic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma: short-term outcome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed at analyzing the perioperative and early survival outcomes of robotic liver resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population included a consecutive series of patients with HCC who underwent robotic liver resection at a single center.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the study period, 41 consecutive patients with HCC underwent 42 robotic liver resections. Five resections (11.9%) were carried out for recurrent HCC, and 23.8% (n = 10) were hemihepatectomy procedures. The mean operating time and blood loss was 229.4 minutes and 412.6 mL, respectively. The R0 resection rate was 93%. The hospital mortality and morbidity rates were 0% and 7.1%, respectively. The mean hospital stay was 6.2 days. The 2-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 94% and 74%, respectively. In the subgroup analysis of minor liver resection, when compared with the conventional laparoscopic approach, the robotic group had similar blood loss (mean, 373.4 mL vs 347.7 mL), morbidity rate (3% vs 9%), mortality rate (0% vs 0%), and R0 resection rate (90.9% vs 90.9%). However, the robotic group had a significantly longer operative time (202.7 mins vs 133.4 mins).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated the feasibility and safety of robotic surgery for HCC, with favorable short-term outcome. However, the long-term oncologic results remain uncertain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Chai Wan, Hong Kong SAR, China. ericlai@alumni.cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: Eric C H
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: George P C
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Chung Ngai
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D061646:Operative Time; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012371:Robotics