Objective: To discuss the value of laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods: From April 2002 to December 2007, 123 cases of HCC, included 82 males and 41 females, with a mean age of 53.8 years (range 31 - 69 years) underwent LH.
Results: Ninety-three cases underwent total laparoscopic hepatectomies (included regular hepatectomies in 52 cases). Twenty-six cases underwent laparoscopy assisted hepatectomies (included regular hepatectomies in 12 cases). Four cases converted to open hepatectomies because of massive bleeding of hepatic vein. The operative time was (205.5 +/- 92.5) min (range 115 - 290 min). The median intraoperative blood loss was 250 ml (rang 100 - 1500 ml). The postoperative hospital stay was (5.8 +/- 1.6) days (range 3 - 15 days). The biggest size of the resections was 18 cm x 16 cm x 12 cm. One patient died of gas embolism during the operation. Biliary fistula occurred in 5 cases and ascites in 8 cases postoperatively, which were cured for several days. By 4 - 61 months of follow up, recurrence in liver occurred in 5 cases. There was no peritoneum and port metastasis.
Conclusion: LH is a safe and feasible method for the treatment of HCC.