Laparoscopic hepatectomy by curettage and aspiration - Experiences of 62 cases

Background: This article introduces a new technique for hepatectomy. Its purpose is to describe the details of laparoscopic hepatectomy by curettage and aspiration (LHCA) and develop a new instrument for this technique. Method: We have performed laparoscopic hepatectomy by curettage and aspiration (LHCA) in 62 patients in our institute between 1998 and 2005: 34 men and 28 women, mean age 47.8 years (range: 26-71 years). Their diagnoses included 18 primary hepatic carcinoma, 2 metastatic carcinoma, 19 intrahepatic duct calculus, and 23 benign entities. Results: The LHCA operation was completed in 60 patients. In two, the procedure had to be converted to open operation. The mean operative time was 146 min and the mean operative blood loss was 458 ml. Complications occurred in two patients, one with bile leakage and the other with pneumothorax. All the patients were ambulatory, within 24 hours of operation. The average length of hospital stay was 1 week. Conclusions: Our experience leads us to believe that laparoscopic hepatectomy by curettage and aspiration (LHCA) is a safe and effective technique for resection of liver lesions.