Open liver resection for colorectal metastases: better short- and long-term outcomes in patients potentially suitable for laparoscopic liver resection

Current criteria for laparoscopic hepatectomy selects patients who have more straight-forward surgery, with less risk of an involved resection margin and better long-term survival, compared with patients unsuited to a laparoscopic approach. Clearly defined criteria for laparoscopic hepatectomy are essential to allow meaningful analysis of outcomes and the results of unrandomized series of laparoscopic hepatectomies must be interpreted with caution.