ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the safety and feasibility of LRH for benign or malignant diseases. Methods In this study, 12 cases received LRH with 10 of suspected malignancy. The procedure included; ( 1) dissection of porta hepatis, (2) dissection of the vena cava, (3) hepatectomy. Results LRH was a complete laparoscopic procedure in 5 cases, hand-assisted in 5 cases and converted to open surgery in the remaining 2 cases. Four cases received blood transfusion. There was no mortality. Bile leakage and wound dehiscence developed in one each. The mean hospital stay was 8 days in the whole group, 4 days in the LRH group. Carcinoma was diagnosed in 9 of 12 cases. Two died during the follow-up with one of intrahepatic hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis and the other of widespread metastatasis after metastatic hepatectomy of colorectal carcinoma. Seven cases after metastatic hepatectomy from colorectal carcinoma were alive during the follow-up of 6 -24 months. Conclusion LRH is safe and feasible in selected primary and secondary hepatic cancer patients.