Perioperative and Long-Term Oncologic Outcomes of Laparoscopic Right Hepatectomy Versus Open Right Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Propensity Score–Matching Analysis

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic major hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Despite the popularity of laparoscopic hepatectomy, it is still in need of further evidence to assess its safety and efficacy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. From 2008 to 2017, 149 patients (laparoscopic right hepatectomy [LRH], 28 patients; open right hepatectomy [ORH], 121 patients) were included. Baseline characteristics, including tumor characteristics, perioperative outcomes, and survival outcomes, were compared between the 2 groups. For group comparisons, one-to-one propensity score matching was used to minimize selection biases. After one-to-one propensity score matching, 25 LRHs were compared to 25 ORHs. Operative time was significantly shorter for the ORH group than for the LRH group (mean, 322.5 versus 379.5 minutes; P = 0.015), whereas the LRH group showed less intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.02) and lower intraoperative transfusion (P = 0.02). Postoperative hospital stays were significantly shorter for the LRH group (mean, 14.5 days versus 20.2 days; P = 0.004). Overall morbidities were significantly lower in the LRH group (1:13, P = 0.00). The cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 100%, 92.0%, and 92.0%, respectively, for the LRH group, and 84.0%, 80.0%, and 64.0%, respectively, for the ORH group. Furthermore, the cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 96.0%, 80.0%, and 75.3%, respectively, for the LRH group, and 72.0%, 48.0%, and 40.0%, respectively, for the ORH group. The LRH group showed significantly longer disease-free survival (P = 0.009) and overall survival (P = 0.028) than the ORH group. LRH can be safely performed for hepatocellular carcinoma. LRH was associated with more favorable oncologic outcomes.