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.

Objective To summarize the experience in laparoscopic resection of metastic liver cancer. Methods The clinical data of the patients receiving laparoscopic resection of metastic liver cancer performed in Brisbane hospital from 1999 to 2006 were retrospectively analyzed. Results A total of 28 patients received the laparoscopic resection of metastic liver cancer. Procedures included left lateral segmentectomy in 13 patients, right hemihepatectomy in 9 and segmental or subsegmental resection in 6. Survival rate and disease free survival rate in 12 patients with colorectal metastasis being followed up for 2 years were 75% and 67%. Conclusion Laparoscopic liver resection is safe and feasible in strictly selected patients with malignancy in an appropriate stage. The surgeons should have rich experience of open liver resection and advanced laparoscopic technique.