ObjectiveTo compare the curative effect and short-term benefits of laparoscopic liver resection with open liver resection in elderly patients with malignant liver tumors and medical comorbidities.
MethodsPatients aged 70 and over who received liver resections for malignant liver tumors between January and October 2015 were enrolled. The perioperative outcomes of 17 patients with laparoscopic approach were matched and compared with those of 34 patients with conventional open approach in a 1:2 ratio.
ResultsThere was no significant difference found between the two groups with regard to age, gender, incidence of comorbid illness, hepatitis B positivity, and Child-Pugh grading of liver function. The median tumor size was 3 cm for both groups. The types of liver resection were similar between the two groups with no significant difference in the duration of operation (laparoscopic: 195 min vs. open: 210 min, P=0.436). The perioperative blood loss was 150 mL in the laparoscopic group and 330 mL in the open group (P=0.046) with no significant difference in the number of patients with blood transfusion. The duration of hospital stay was 6 days (3-15 days) for the laparoscopic group and 8 days (5-105 days) for the open group (P=0.005).
ConclusionLaparoscopic liver resection is safe and feasible for elderly patients. The short-term benefits of laparoscopic approach proves to be evident for geriatric oncological liver surgery.
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