title: Long-term outcome of laparoscopic hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The long-term prognosis for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who undergo laparoscopic hepatectomy has not been well compared with that for patients after open hepatectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed patient survival (PS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of 310 consecutive patients who underwent primary hepatectomy between January 2001 and March 2010. The patients were divided into Group LAP (laparoscopic approach) (n = 24) and Group OPN (with open laparotomy) (n = 286). The median follow-up time was 60.9 months (range, 12.0-123.9 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 5-, and 7-year PS rates of Group LAP were 87.9%, and 87.9%, and those of Group OPN were 82.2% and 69.3%, respectively (P = 0.5638). The 5-, and 7-year DFS rates of Group LAP were 47.1%, and 31.4%, and those of Group OPN were 29.4%, and 24.3%, respectively (P = 0.4594). Laparoscopic hepatectomy in patients of Group LAP resulted in a better outcome of blood loss (P = 0.0314), operative time (P < 0.0001), and hospital stay (P = 0.0008).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The long-term outcome of laparoscopic hepatectomy for patients with HCC was identified to be comparable to open hepatectomy with regard to PS and DFS. Laparoscopic hepatectomy is a promising therapeutic option for patients with HCC.
authors.forename: Toshiya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kamiyama
authors.forename: Munenori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tahara
authors.forename: Kazuaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakanishi
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yokoo
authors.forename: Hirofumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kamachi
authors.forename: Tatsuhiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kakisaka
authors.forename: Yosuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tsuruga
authors.forename: Michiaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsushita
authors.forename: Satoru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Todo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome