ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the practical value of hand-assisted laparoscopic hepatectomy for large liver cancer in peripheral segments.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From March 2004 to December 2007, 56 patients with large liver cancer underwent hand-assisted laparoscopic hepatectomy including 53 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 2 cases of cholangiocellular carcinoma, 1 case of hepatic metastatic squamous carcinoma.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The operation procedures were completed safely in all patients including 27 left lateral segment hepatectomy, 6 left hemi-hepatectomy and 23 atypical right hepatectomy. Thirty-one cases with hepatic hilum blocking in the procedure and the mean time was 16.7 minutes. Mean surgical time was 105.3 minutes. Mean blood loss was 97 ml. Mean gross tumor size was 8.6 cm. Mean excisional hepatic tissue volume was 10.5 cm. No serious postoperative complications occurred. Mean eating time was 2.1 days. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 7.3 days.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hand-assisted laparoscopic hepatectomy for large liver carcinoma is feasible and safe for selected patients.</p>