Laparoscopic left lateral resection is the gold standard for benign liver lesions: a case–control study

IntroductionA left lateral section is the first choice for a laparoscopic anatomic liver resection. The objective of this case–control study was to assess the surgical outcome after a laparoscopic left lateral resection for benign liver lesions compared with the open approach.MethodsFrom January 2004 to April 2011, 31 laparoscopic left lateral resections were matched with 31 open left lateral resections by selection based on pathology of the lesion, size of the lesion, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, body mass index (BMI), age and gender of the patient.ResultsDuration of the operation (laparoscopic: 182 ± 71 versus open: 244 ± 105 min; P = 0.04), blood loss (223 ± 281 versus 455 ± 593 ml; P = 0.03), duration of hospital stay (4.1 ± 1.7 versus 8.1 ± 4.4 days; P < 0.001) and total cost of hospitalization (7475 ± 2679 versus 11504 ± 7776 Euros; P < 0.001) were significantly lower in the laparoscopic group.ConclusionsThis matched case–control study demonstrated procedural safety, excellent post‐operative outcomes and economic benefits for a laparoscopic liver resection. A laparoscopic left lateral liver sectionectomy is recommended as a gold standard for benign liver lesions.