LESS technique for liver resection: The progress of the mini-invasive approach: A single-centre experience

Introduction: During the last years, the safety and efficacy of the laparoscopic approach for liver masses located in the left lobe have been demonstrated, encouraging the mini-invasive approach and, in more recent times, the LESS technique (Laparo Endoscopic Single Site), in an attempt to reduce the biological invasiveness related to surgical trauma. Material and methods: From January 2009 to December 2010, 39 patients underwent laparoscopic liver resection at our institution. In 14 of these, the LESS technique was used. The aim of our study is to evaluate the short-term outcome of this group of patients. Results: We recorded the following results: Mean operative time of 187 min (range 145420 min), mean intraoperative blood loss of 214 ml (range 50700 ml), postoperative morbidity rate of 21.4%, one postoperative death (related to acute heart failure related to severe aortic valve stenosis). Excluding this patient from the statistical analysis, the morbidity rate was 14.3%. The median hospital stay was five days. Discussion: The LESS technique for liver resections is safe and effective in selected patients and in centres with high expertise in laparoscopic liver surgery.