Tailoring the management of nonparasitic liver cysts.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal management of symptomatic non-parasitic liver cysts. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Management options for symptomatic nonparasitic liver cysts lack substantiation through comparative studies with respect to safety and long-term effectiveness. METHODS: A retrospective review of the surgical management of patients with hepatic cysts between October 1988 and August 1997 was undertaken to determine morbidity rates and to assess long-term recurrence. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients (35 women, 3 men) underwent 48 operations for symptomatic hepatic cysts of mean diameter 12 cm, with a mean follow-up of 41 months. Twenty-three patients had simple cysts, and 15 patients had polycystic liver disease (PCLD). The symptomatic recurrence rates after laparoscopic or open deroofing for simple cysts were 8% and 29%, and for PCLD 71% and 20%, respectively. There were no symptomatic recurrences after 14 hepatic resections. There were no perisurgical deaths; however, morbidity rates were significant after laparoscopic deroofing, open deroofing, and hepatic resection (25%, 36%, and 50%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Selection of patients with truly symptomatic hepatic cysts is crucial before considering interventional techniques. For simple cysts, radical laparoscopic deroofing is usually curative; open deroofing should be reserved for cysts inaccessible by laparoscopy. The latter technique is well tolerated; however, long-term symptom control is unpredictable in patients with PCLD. Hepatic resection for PCLD provides satisfactory long-term symptom control but has an appreciable morbidity rate. Although laparoscopic and open deroofing procedures are less reliable in the long term for solitary cysts, they might be useful steps before embarking on this major procedure.     

Experience with different methods of treatment of nonparasitic liver cysts

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In a search for the optimal management of nonparasitic liver cysts, a study was made of the effectiveness of different methods. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1 January 1982 and 15 December 2001 we treated 132 patients with nonparasitic liver cysts. In 72 patients 31 cysts were treated with enucleation, 60 with deroofing, and 24 with stitching by laparotomy; two liver resections were also performed. In a further 34 patients 36 cysts were treated with deroofing by minimally invasive surgery. In an additional 26 patients 32 cysts were treated with various interventional radiological methods. RESULTS: There was no mortality. The morbidity rate after laparotomy was significant (22.2%). The rate of recurrence after enucleation and deroofing was 6.5% and 13.8%, respectively, but there were no recurrences after stitching and liver resection. The recurrence rate following laparoscopic deroofing was 19.4%, and that following interventional radiological procedures was 50%. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment is required only if cysts are highly symptomatic or if growth is detected. Interventional radiological methods do not prove more favorable than surgery. Laparoscopic fenestration is preferred because of its low morbidity and the short period of hospitalization. Traditional surgical methods should be reserved merely for cases in which laparoscopic deroofing is not feasible.     

Laparoscopic treatment using an argon beam coagulator for nonparasitic liver cysts

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic deroofing has been shown to produce good patient satisfaction and to have results similar to those of open surgical techniques. We evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopic deroofing using an argon beam coagulator (ABC) in the patients with nonparasitic liver cysts. METHODS: Laparoscopic deroofing for the treatment of liver cysts was attempted on 14 patients. After the deroofing, the secreting epithelium within the residual cystic cavity wall was destroyed using the ABC. RESULTS: Laparoscopic deroofing was successful in all patients. No deaths or surgical morbidity occurred, and no postoperative complications were recorded. The median postoperative hospital stay was 7 days. The median follow-up was 56 months for all patients, and all patients have remained completely asymptomatic for 6 months after the surgery, with no recurrence of the cysts. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that laparoscopic deroofing using the ABC method in patients with nonparasitic liver cysts was effective in preventing cyst recurrence.     

Feasibility and safety of laparoscopic management of hydatid disease of the liver.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic treatment of hydatid disease of the liver produces encouraging results, though its feasibility and safety have been questioned. We evaluated the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic management of hydatid disease of the liver. METHODS: Consecutive patients with this disease reporting to our department from August 1998 to January 2002 were offered laparoscopic management. Our protocol included preoperative albendazole for 4 weeks, laparoscopic cyst evacuation after its sterilization, and deroofing and suction drainage of the cavity, addition of omentoplasty if required, and a follow-up exceeding 6 months. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (M11:F7) with 22 liver hydatid cysts underwent laparoscopic surgery. The mean cyst size was 7.4 cm (range, 5.6 cm to 16.6 cm). Two patients needed conversion to an open operation. Spillage of cyst contents occurred in 5 patients. True recurrence of hydatid disease occurred in the original site in 2 patients (11%), and false recurrence was seen in 2 patients (11%), all within 6 months. CONCLUSION: With proper patient selection, laparoscopic management of hydatid cysts of the liver is a feasible option with low rates of conversion. Both true and false recurrences are common with conservative laparoscopic options, and undetected ectocysts may be the cause of true cyst recurrence.     

Long-term results of laparoscopic versus open colorectal resections for cancer in 235 patients with a minimum follow-up of 5 years

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic resection for cure of colorectal cancer is controversial. More investigations on long-term results are required. This study aimed to compare the long-term outcome with a minimum follow-up of 5 years between laparoscopic or open approach for the treatment of colo-rectal cancer. METHODS: The treatment modality (laparoscopic or open) was related to the patients (pts) choice. The following parameters between the two groups (laparoscopic and open) were assessed: wound recurrences rate, local recurrences rate, incidence of distant metastases and survival probability analysis. RESULTS: We report the long term outcome of 149 pts with colon cancer of which 85 treated by Laparoscopic Surgery (LS) and 64 by Open Surgery (OS) and of 86 patients with rectal cancer of which 52 treated by LS and 34 by OS. In the pts with colonic cancer, mean follow-up was 82.8 months. No Statistically Significant Difference (SSD) was observed in the local recurrences rate (3.5% after LS and 6.2% after OS) and in the incidence of distant metastases (10.5% after LS and 10.9% after OS). Cumulative survival probability in LS was 0.882 as compared to 0.859 after OS. In the pts with rectal cancer, mean follow-up was 78.5 months. No SSD was observed in the local recurrences rate (19.2% after LS and 17.6% after OS) and in the incidence of distant metastases (15.3% after LS and 20.5% after OS). Cumulative survival probability in LS was 0.711 as compared to 0.617 after OS. We report an interesting data about the time of recurrences between LS and OS: the recurrences were delayed after LS, both after colonic (22.6 months vs 6.5) and rectal (25.7 months vs 13.0) resections, respectively. CONCLUSION: We suppose that laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of colo-rectal cancer is quite safe. However, further investigation is needed.     

Long-term outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer

Multiple reports have outlined the potential benefits of the laparoscopic approach to colon surgery. Recently, randomized control trials have demonstrated the safety of applying these techniques to colorectal cancer. This study examined the long-term follow-up assessment of patients after laparoscopic colorectal cancer resections and compared them with a large prospective database of open resections. A total of 231 resections were performed for adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum between 1992 and 2004. Of these 231 resections, 93 were rectal (40.3%) and 138 were colonic (59.7%). A total of 8 (3.2%) of the resections were performed as emergencies, and 27 (11.7%) were converted to open surgery. The mean follow-up period was 35.84 months (range, 0-132 months). The disease recurred in 51 of the patients (22.1%) before death, involving 14 (6.1%) local and 37 (16%) distant recurrences. Only two patients had wound recurrences (0.8%), and both patients had widespread peritoneal recurrence at the time of diagnosis. The overall survival rate was 65.3% at 60 months and 60.3% at 120 months. The disease-free survival rate was 58% at 60 months and 56% at 120 months. Laparoscopic techniques can be applied to a wide range of colorectal malignancies without sacrificing oncologic results during a long-term follow-up period.     

腹腔镜与开腹手术治疗肝囊肿32例临床分析

目的 比较腹腔镜与开腹手术治疗肝囊肿的疗效与安全性.方法 回顾性分析我院2008年1月至2011年12月行手术治疗的32例肝囊肿患者临床资料,其中运用腹腔镜手术治疗(腹腔镜组)19例,开腹手术治疗(开腹组)13例.比较两组的手术时间、术中出血量、术后并发症发生率、胃肠功能恢复时间、住院时间、住院费用、术后肝功能及肝囊肿...     

Surgical treatment of recurrent colorectal cancer. Five-year follow-up

Analysis of 81 consecutive patients with recurrent colorectal cancer was undertaken to evaluate the rationale and efficacy of surgical re-treatment. The disease-free interval after primary surgery and the diagnostic delay did not clearly differ between the modes of recurrences. Symptoms preceded the diagnosis of recurrence in 73% (59) of the cases, with pain being the most frequent symptom (n = 22). Of the patients, 58% (47) underwent reoperations, 38% (31) underwent reresections, and 10% (8) underwent radical resections. The overall postoperative mortality was 13%, and the postoperative morbidity was 45%. The postoperative relief of cancer symptoms after resective surgery was 8 months and, after nonresective surgery, 2 months. The median survival was 24 months for patients who underwent resections, 8 months for patients who were treated by nonresective surgery, and 15 months for patients who were treated conservatively. Radical resection clearly prolonged survival when compared with palliative resections and nonresective procedures. On the basis of these results, it was concluded that resective surgery, when possible, can improve survival and patient comfort after recurrence of colorectal cancer.     

Hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases. Influence on survival of preoperative factors and surgery for recurrences in 80 patients.

This report analyses an experience with 80 liver resections for metastatic colorectal carcinoma. Primary colorectal cancers had all been resected. Liver metastases were solitary in 44 patients, multiple in 36 patients, unilobar in 76 patients, and bilobar in 4 patients. Tumor size was less than 5 cm in 33 patients, 5-10 cm in 30 patients, and larger than 10 cm in 17 patients. There were 43 synchronous and 37 metachronous liver metastases with a delay of 2-70 months. The surgical procedures included more major liver resections (55 patients) than wedge resections (25 patients). Portal triad occlusion was used in most cases, and complete vascular exclusion of the liver was performed for resection of the larger tumors. In-hospital mortality rate was 5%. Three- and 5-year survival rates were 40.5% and 24.9%, respectively. None of the analysed criteria: size and number of liver metastases, delay after diagnosis of the primary cancer, Duke's stage, could differentiate long survivors from patients who did not benefit much from liver surgery due to early recurrence. Recurrences were observed in 51 patients during the study, two thirds occurring during the first year after liver surgery. Eight patients had resection of "secondary" metastases after a first liver resection: two patients for extrahepatic recurrences and six patients for liver recurrences. Encouraging results raise the question of how far agressive surgery for liver metastases should go.     

Laparoscopic treatment of nonparasitic hepatic cysts

Background We present our experience with laparoscopic deroofing of nonparasitic hepatic cysts. Methods Laparoscopic deroofing was performed due to a solitary hepatic cyst in 21 patients and polycystic liver in four patients. Laparoscopy was indicated when a cyst was larger than 5 cm (the general size of cysts was 6.9 cm) and caused complaints and was in a superficial position. In eight patients in whom the cyst was larger than 10 cm, omentoplasty was performed. Results Intraoperative complications were not detected. Two conversions were performed because of the deep position of the cyst. Postoperative bile leakage was detected in one case that was treated conservatively. The average hospital stay was 4.7 days. Relapse occurred in two patients (8%), but only one of them required a second operation. Conclusions We recommend laparoscopic deroofing for treatment of nonparasitic liver cysts. This operation causes only slight discomfort for the patients, the intra- and postoperative morbidity is low, and relapses are rare.     

Treatment of ovarian dermoid cysts

The purpose of this study was to discuss the place and the specific modalities of laparoscopic surgery in the management of ovarian dermoid cysts. This retrospective and noncomparative study was carried out in 65 patients who presented dermoid ovarian cyst between January 1986 and December 1990 in our institution. The surgical treatment was performed purely by laparoscopy in 86.2% of the cases (56 patients). The modalities of laparoscopic surgery were as follows: ovariectomy (8 cases; 14.3%), transparietal cystectomy (4 cases; 7.1%) and intraperitoneal cystectomy (44 cases; 78.6%). In 15 cases (15/44=34%) the intraperitoneal cystectomy was carried out without opening the cyst and the intact cyst was extracted using an endoscopic impermeable sack. We observed no cases of chemical peritonitis. The risk of recurrence after conservative treatment is 4% (two patients) and out of the ten patients for whom a second-look laparoscopy was performed only two (20%) presented adhesions. Laparoscopic treatment of dermoid ovarian cysts is feasible, safe, and effective. The treatment can be conservative in over 80% of the cases. The specific risk of chemical peritonitis can be countered by a change in the cystectomy technique. The use of an impermeable laparoscopic sack permits extraction of the cyst without any peritoneal contamination.     

Treatment of symptomatic non-parasitic liver cysts--surgical treatment versus alcohol injection therapy

Fourteen patients with benign symptomatic non-parasitic cysts of the liver were either surgically treated, had alcohol injected into the cysts, underwent deroofing of the cyst or in 5, a cystectomy was done. Alcohol was injected into 6 patients and there has been no recurrence for as long as 5 years and 8 months after the treatment. Liver dysfunction occurred in 3 patients given blood transfusion during the surgery and/or postoperative course, an elevated temperature (over 39 degrees C) occurred in one patient. Adverse effects of alcohol injections were minor and transient. Based on our experience, the injection of alcohol is an effective treatment for benign symptomatic cyst of the liver. When a malignancy is suspected on imaging and/or cytologic studies, or when alcohol administration is ineffective, then surgery is indicated.     

Laparoscopy as a prognostic factor in curative resection for node positive colorectal cancer: Results for a single-institution nonrandomized prospective trial

Background Several studies reporting preliminary long-term survival data after laparoscopic resections for colonic adenocarcinoma did not show any detrimental effect in comparison with historic studies of laparotomies. A previous randomized study has reported an unforeseen better long-term survival for node-positive patients treated by laparoscopic colectomy.Methods A single-institution prospective nonrandomized trial compared short- and long-term results of laparoscopic and open curative resection for adenocarcinoma of the left colon or rectum in 255 consecutive patients from January 1996 to December 2000.Results In this study, 34 left hemicolectomy, 202 anterior resections, and 19 abdominoperineal resections were performed. A total of 74 patients underwent a laparoscopic resection (LR), and 181, an open resection (OR). The tumor site was the descending colon in 32 cases, the sigmoid colon in 98 cases, and the rectum in 125 cases, including 87 mid–low rectal cancers. Ten LR procedures (13.5%) were converted to open surgery. The hospital mortality was 0.08%, and in hospital morbidity was 16.2% for LR and 13.3% for OR (p = 0.56). The median postoperative stay was 1 day shorter for LR (9 days) than for OR (10 days) (p = 0.09). The mean number of lymph nodes retrieved were 13.8 ± 5.7 for OR and 12.7 ± 5; for LR (p = 0.23). Age exceeding 70 years, T stage, N stage, grading, mid–low rectal site, and laparoscopy were found by multivariate analysis to be significant prognostic factors for disease-free and cancer-related survival. When patients were stratified by stage, a trend toward a better disease-free and cancer-related survival was identifyed in stage III patients undergoing LR.Conclusions Laparoscopic colonic resection is a safe procedure in terms of postoperative outcome and long-term survival. Multivariate analysis showed that laparoscopy is a positive prognostic factor for disease-free and cancer-related survival. The current data agrees with the data for the only randomized study reported so far. Both suggest a better outcome for node-positive patients treated by laparoscopy.     

Does a thoracic epidural confer any additional benefit following video-assisted thoracoscopic pleurectomy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax?

OBJECTIVE: Video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) bullectomy and apical pleurectomy has become the preferred procedure for recurrent or complicated primary spontaneous pneumothorax (SPN). Although thoracic epidural analgesia is the gold standard after open thoracic surgical procedures, its use in the management of minimally invasive procedures in this young population has not been extensively studied. METHODS: From 1997 to 2003, a single surgeon performed 118 consecutive VATS pleurectomies for primary SPN. The perioperative course, analgesic requirements, hospital stay and long-term complications were compared for 22 (18%) patients in whom a patient-controlled thoracic epidural was used for analgesia and 96 (82%) patients who did not receive an epidural (parenteral opioids). A four-point verbal pain score (0-3) was recorded hourly in every patient at rest and on coughing following surgery. RESULTS: One patient required additional surgery for evacuation of haemothorax. There were no mortalities or other major complications in the series. Overall median hospital stay was 3 (range 1-10) days, the incidence of long-term pain at 3 months was 6%, and the long-term recurrence rate was 3%. Despite parenteral opioids being discontinued significantly earlier than epidurals, pain scores were similar in both groups. There were no significant differences in the duration of air-leaks, length of drainage, hospital stay, long-term pain and long-term paraesthesias between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic epidural analgesia does not contribute significantly to minimize neither perioperative nor long-term pain after VATS pleurectomy for primary SPN. The additional resource requirement in these patients is not justified.     

Long-term risk of salvage cystectomy after radiotherapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer

OBJECTIVES: To establish the long-term outcome for muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder treated by radiotherapy with or without neoadjuvant cisplatin. METHODS: 159 patients with T2-T4a NX M0 bladder cancer were entered into a prospective randomized trial between June 1984 and June 1988. Follow-up was by 3-monthly cystoscopy in the first year, 6-monthly the next 2 years and yearly thereafter. Salvage surgery was performed at the discretion of the participating clinician. RESULTS: Minimum follow-up was 9 (median 11) years, at which time 29 patients (18%) remain alive. Median survival was 24 months with no difference between the treatment groups (chi(2) = 0.08, p = 0.77). Overall cystectomy rate was 24% (radiotherapy alone 20%, combined therapy 28%; p = 0.24). Median time to cystectomy from primary treatment was 12 months; range 56 days to 10 years. The risk of cystectomy was 11, 10 and 7% for the first, second and third years after radiotherapy respectively, and 8% in total after the third year. The proportion of patients alive in each successive year who had required a cystectomy was between 20 and 30% for 5 of the first 8 years after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Salvage cystectomy is necessary in a quarter of patients after radiotherapy and this can be needed up to 10 years after treatment. During this time, multiple invasive procedures are likely to be performed, resulting in significant patient morbidity and cost. Patients should be fully counselled about the need for prolonged surveillance and the persisting risk of salvage surgery when deciding between primary cystectomy and radiotherapy.     

The role of surgery in the treatment of recurrent gastric cancer

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the current study was to determine the role of surgery in the treatment of recurrent gastric cancer. METHODS: Of the 347 patients with recurrent gastric cancer, 61 patients (17.8%) who underwent surgery were evaluated retrospectively. The underlying causes and types of surgery, survival, and postoperative quality of life were analyzed. RESULTS: The most common cause of surgery was intestinal obstruction due to carcinomatosis. Complete resection was possible in 15 patients (24.6 %), including 10 gastric remnant recurrences, and 2 hepatic and 3 ovarian metastases. The survival of patients who had complete resection was significantly longer than the other groups (52.2 months for complete resections, 13.1 months for palliative procedures, and 8.7 months for laparotomy alone, respectively) (P < .05). The median hospital-free survival (HFS) durations were 9.4, 2.9, and 2.2 months for incomplete resection, bypass/enterostomy, and laparotomy only, respectively (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment in recurrent gastric cancer is rarely indicated; however, if complete resection could be accomplished, long-term survival can be expected. Bypass surgery for symptom palliation did not increase the HFS.     

Laparoscopic treatment of hepatic hydatid disease

Background: Hepatic hydatid disease is now rare in Australasia. However, it remains a significant problem in endemic areas. Many cases are now managed using minimally invasive techniques and this paper reviews the current status of laparoscopic approaches to hepatic hydatid disease. Methods: A Medline data search was performed using the search terms of Ecchinococcos, laparoscopy, hepatectomy and pericystectomy. All publications from all publication years, including foreign language publications, were included. Results: Eight series have been published comprising five or more patients, with most utilizing techniques of laparoscopic cystectomy. All series managed Gharbi cyst types I-IV, and median operative times were between 60 and 82?min. Seven conversions were reported (3%) for problems with access or bleeding. There was one reported fatality, and between 5% and 45% (median 13%) of patients developed complications. Three cases of anaphylaxis were reported and 14 cases of bile fistula were reported (median incidence: 6%). Hospital stays were between 3 and 10 days (median stay: 3.5 days). Two series report recurrences (recurrence rates of 3% and 4%) and these were in patients not treated with preoperative albendazole. Conclusion: Laparoscopic surgical techniques have been successfully applied to the treatment of hepatic hydatid cysts. While the uptake of these procedures is limited to areas of high prevalence and units with a specific interest, laparoscopic surgery is now one of the management options available to treat hepatic hydatid disease.     

Laparoscopic surgery of the liver, in 92 cases

We analyze the experience in laparoscopic hepatic surgery of the Research Center of Laparoscopic and Open Surgery from Ia?i between 1993-2006. This study includes 92 patients (0.9% from 10,367 laparoscopic operations) with liver pathology considered for laparoscopic treatment. We performed 42 Lin procedures (wide fenestration technique) for serous hepatic cysts, 32 cystectomies for hepatic hydatid disease, 10 non-anatomical hepatic resections (for 2 adenomas, 4 haemangiomas, 4 metastasis) and 8 steam water thermo-necrosis (for multiple hepatic metastasis). Conversion to open surgery rate was 8.7% (hepatic hydatid cysts--6 cases, serous hepatic cyst--1 case with associated acute cholecystitis, thermo-necrosis--1 case). We had no postoperative mortality and morbidity rate was 6.5%. The follow-up was available in all patients for a mean time of 12 months, by abdominal ultrasound exam and/or computed tomography. No evidence of disease recurrence was registered. We are at the beginning of the laparoscopic hepatic surgery and these results need to be confirmed. For the hepatic serous cysts the laparoscopic fenestration is the best treatment, but for the hepatic hydatid cyst, the laparoscopic approach is indicated only in selected cases: uni-vesicular hydatid cyst, noncomplicated, localised into the "laparoscopic" segments of the liver. Albendazole treatment is also necessary in these cases. For all types of benign liver tumours, the best indication remains small, superficial lesions, located in the anterior or the lateral segments of the liver. When performed by expert liver and laparoscopic surgeons using an adequate surgical technique, the laparoscopic approach is safe for performing minor liver resection for malignant tumours and is accompanied by the usual postoperative benefits of laparoscopic surgery.     

The management of simple hepatic cysts: sclerotherapy or laparoscopic fenestration.

BACKGROUND: Prior to the era of laparoscopic surgery, open surgical deroofing was considered to be the most appropriate therapy for uncomplicated simple hepatic cysts. Recently, there have been a number of reports of successful laparoscopic fenestration of simple hepatic cysts. Simple aspiration of these cysts is associated with a high recurrence rate. Cyst sclerosis with alcohol and, more recently, minocycline hydrochloride have been found to be effective in their management. So far there have been no trials comparing laparoscopic deroofing with sclerotherapy. A lack of consensus in their management results in considerable confusion and difficulty in deciding the optimum form of therapy. METHODS: A systematic review of articles on the subject appearing in journals in the English language was conducted using the Medline database and by cross-referencing. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Both laparoscopic deroofing and cyst sclerosis have been found to be effective in partial or complete obliteration of the cyst and in the relief of symptoms produced by the cyst. It is essential to rule out cystadenoma, malignancy, biliary communication and infection prior to treating these cysts. Alcohol/minocycline based sclerotherapy has the advantage of being associated with a lower incidence of complications. Surgery is indicated if it is difficult to rule out the above mentioned conditions, in the presence of biliary communication, in those cysts where sclerosis has been ineffective and in cases of recurrence. The choice between open and laparoscopic surgery depends on the location of the cysts within the liver parenchyma.     

Laparoscopic versus open hepatic resections for benign and malignant neoplasms--a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery for hepatic neoplasms aims to provide curative resection while minimizing complications. The present study compared laparoscopic versus open surgery for patients with hepatic neoplasms with regard to short-term outcomes. METHODS: Comparative studies published between 1998 and 2005 were included. Evaluated endpoints were operative, functional, and adverse events. A random-effects model was used and sensitivity analysis performed to account for bias in patient selection. RESULTS: Eight nonrandomized studies were included, reporting on 409 resections of hepatic neoplasms, of which 165 (40.3%) were laparoscopic and 244 (59.7%) were open. Operative blood loss (weighted mean difference = -123 mL; confidence interval = -179, -67 mL) and duration of hospital stay (weighted mean difference = -2.6 days; confidence interval = -3.8, -1.4 days) were significantly reduced after laparoscopic surgery. These findings remained consistent when considering studies matched for the presence of malignancy and segment resection. There was no difference in postoperative adverse events and extent of oncologic clearance. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic resection results in reduced operative blood loss and earlier recovery with oncologic clearance comparable with open surgery. When performed by experienced surgeons in selected patients it may be a safe and feasible option. Because of the potential of significant bias arising from the included studies, further randomized controlled trials should be undertaken to confirm this bias and to assess long-term survival rates.