title: Comparison of laparoscopic versus open left lateral segmentectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although there are data in the literature about the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic liver resections, there are not many studies comparing laparoscopic versus open approaches in a case-matched design. This study was designed to compare perioperative outcomes of the left lateral segmentectomy via laparoscopic and open approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2009 to January 2013, we performed left lateral segmentectomies in 60 patients, those excluded from analysis included previous liver resections, polycystic liver disease and liver cirrhosis. Laparoscopic left lateral segmentectomy was performed in 30 patients and open left lateral segmentectomy was performed in 20 patients. All clinical data were analyzed retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean duration of operation was 120 ± 30.4 min in the LLS and 150 ± 36.8 min in the OLS group, no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups. The median blood loss in LLS group was less than that in OLS group (200 ± 22.1 ml versus 328 ± 36.8 ml, P < 0.05). Mean post-operative hospital stay was significantly lower in LLS compared with OLS (5 ± 0.9 vs. 8 ± 1.0; P < 0.05). The postoperative morbidity rate was also significantly different between the groups, a tendency towards more severe complications in the OLS group compared with LLS group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic left lateral segmentectomy can decrease complications, shorten hospitalization time, is a minimally invasive, safe and effective way.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Changzhou 213003, China.
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Changzhou 213003, China.
authors.forename: Xue-Min
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Changzhou 213003, China.
authors.forename: Dong-Lin
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Sun
keywords: Laparoscopic liver resection; left lateral segmentectomy; open surgery