Benefits of Laparoscopic Approach for Resection of Liver Tumors in Cirrhotic Patients

Introduction: Liver resection in cirrhotic patients is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to compare short-term results of laparoscopic resection (LR) and open surgery (OS) for minor liver resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) hepatocellularcarcinoma on nontumor cirrhotic liver (HCC/F4) and patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLMs) colorectal liver metastases on healthy liver (CRLM/F0). Materials and Methods: Between January 2005 and December 2014, all patients undergoing liver resection (n=754) were included in this study. Liver resections for cholangiocarcinoma or benign tumor, major liver resection (3 segments), HCC on healthy liver, CRLM on cirrhotic liver, and liver resection with technically difficult accessibility (segments I, VII, and VIII) were excluded. The primary endpoint of the study was a validated composite endpoint (CEP), which included specific liver surgery complications (Clavien III), allowing comparison of the postoperative course after LR versus OR for HCC/F4 patients and CRLM/F0 patients using propensity score (PS) analysis. Secondary endpoints were major postoperative morbidity according to the Clavien-Dindo classification (III) and intensive care unit (ICU) length of hospital stay (LOS) and overall LOS. The test group was defined as HCC/F4 patients operated by LR, and the control group was defined as HCC/F4 patients and CRLM/F0 patients operated by OS and CRLM/F0 patient operated by LR. Results: Sixty patients (38.7%) underwent LR and 95 patients (61.3%) underwent OS. Surgery was performed for CRLM in 93 patients (60%) and for HCC in 62 patients (40%). No difference was demonstrated between HCC/F4 patients and CRLM/F0 patients in the LR group in terms of the CEP (7% versus 18.1%; P=.23), while a significant difference for the CEP was observed between HCC/F4 patients and CRLM/F0 patients after OS (50% versus 21%; P=.021). A higher rate of CEP was observed for HCC/F4 patients operated by OS compared to HCC/F4 patients operated by LR (50% versus 7.8%; P=.009). No significant difference in Clavien-Dindo score III was observed between HCC/F4 patients and CRLM/F0 patients operated by LR (10% versus 4.5%; P=.98). A higher postoperative ascites rate was observed for HCC/F4 patients operated by OS compared to CRLM/F0 patients operated by OS (25% versus 2.8%; P=.006). This difference was no longer observed when HCC/F4 patients were compared to CRLM/F0 operated by LR (7.8% versus 2.8%; P=.09). The postoperative mortality rate was 1.8% and was not correlated with nontumor liver or surgical approach. A shorter LOS was observed for HCC/F4 patients operated by LR compared to HCC/F4 patients operated by OS (7.53 versus 17.13; P=.011). Conclusion: The laparoscopic approach for malignant liver tumor is associated with a lower specific complication rate. LR for HCC/F4 could eliminate excess morbidity and decrease LOS in patients with cirrhotic liver.