To compare the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic and open left hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Clinical data of 31 patients with HCC who underwent left hepatectomy in the First People's Hospital of Foshan from June 2011 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Among 31 patients, 24 cases were male and 7 female, aged from 11 to 78 years with a median age of 58 years. Patients were divided into laparoscopic left hepatectomy group (laparoscopic group, n=17) and open left hepatectomy group (open group, n=14). The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the local ethical committee approval was received. In laparoscopic group, two-step Endo-GIA laparoscopic left hepatectomy was performed, and conventional hepatectomy was performed in open group. The postoperative length of hospital stay was compared by t test. The intraoperative blood loss was compared by rank-sum test. The incidence of postoperative complications was compared by Chi-square test.

All patients underwent operation successfully without perioperative death. The median intraoperative blood loss in laparoscopic group was 100(50-500) ml, significantly less than 325(50-900) mlin open group (Z=-2.180, P<0.05). The postoperative length of hospital stay in laparoscopic group was (8.4±2.3) d, significantly shorter than (10.9±2.5) d in the open group (t=-2.869, P<0.05). 5 cases developed postoperative pleural effusion in laparoscopic group, and 5 in open group, where no significant difference was observed (χ2=0.140, P>0.05).

Laparoscopic left hepatectomy is safe for HCC and has similar efficacy as open surgery, the intraoperative blood loss is less comparatively and postoperative recovery time is shorter, which can serve as a standard surgical approach in clinical practice.