The comparison of oncologic and clinical outcomes of laparoscopic and open liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

Hong-Jin Kim, MDFACS¹, Dong-Shik Lee, MD¹, Keun Soo Ahn², Koo Jeong Kang². ¹Department HBP Surgery, Yeungnam University Hospital, ²Department HBP Surgery, Kei-Myung University Hospital

Purpose: We evaluate the operative outcome and oncologic outcome of laparoscopic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and compare with open liver resection.

Method: From January 2004 to February 2013, clinical data of 120 patients who underwent laparoscopic liver resection for HCC (Laparoscopic liver resection group, lapa-group) were collected from two medical centers in Daegu and analyzed retrospectively. Control group (Open liver resection group, open-group) were retrospectively matched, and compared with lapa-group.

Results: Laparoscopic major liver resections were performed in 6 patients. Laparoscopic anatomical resections and non-anatomical resections were performed in 65 patients, and 55 patients, respectively. Mean operative time was shorter in lapa-group, mean intraoperative transfusion rate and total amount were small in lapa-group. In lapa-group and open-group 5-year disease free survival rate (DFS) were 40.0 ± 0.08 %, and 47.5 ± 0.06 %, respectively. (p-value = 0.773) In lapa-group and open-group 5-year overall survival rate (OS) were 65.9  ± 0.8 %, and 65.1 ± 0.6 %, respectively. (p-value = 0.479)

Conclusion: Laparoscopic liver resection for HCC is feasible and safe in a large number of patients, with reasonable operative and oncologic results.