Objective: To compare the outcomes of hand-assisted laparoscopic liver surgery (HALS) and pure laparoscopic liver surgery (PLS).
Methods: The clinical data were analyzed for 64 patients undergoing major hepatectomy with HALH (23 cases) and PLS (41 cases) between January, 2010 and December, 2012.
Results: The general data of the two groups were comparable. Compared with PLS, HALS was associated with a significantly shorter operative time (240 vs 191 min), less intraoperative blood loss (430 vs 220 ml, P<0.05), and a lower cost (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in postoperative hospital stay, complication rates or recurrence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Conclusion: HALS is safe for major liver resection with such advantages over PLS as causing less trauma and a lower cost.