Comparison of laparoscopic versus open left-sided hepatectomy for intrahepatic duct stones

Background Laparoscopic hepatectomy for intrahepatic duct (IHD) stones is limited by technical difficulties caused by adhesion to adjacent tissue or distorted anatomy resulting from recurrent inflammation. This study compared perioperative and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic and open hepatectomy for left IHD stones. Methods From January 2002 to December 2013, 40 patients underwent laparoscopic left-sided hepatectomy [left hemihepatectomy (n = 7) or left lateral sectionectomy (n = 33)] and 54 patients without combined operations and previous operation histories underwent open left-sided hepatectomy [left hemihepatectomy (n = 24) or left lateral sectionectomy (n = 30)]. Their perioperative and clinical outcomes were compared, including stone clearance rates, stone recurrence rates, and median follow-up duration. Results There was no difference in age (56.8 +/- 8.2 vs. 55.6 +/- 9.6 years, p = 0.531), sex (1.0:4.0 vs. 1.0:1.8 male: female, p = 0.108), or BMI (22.8 +/- 2.8 vs. 22.9 +/- 3.0 kg/m(2), p = 0.802) between the laparoscopic and open hepatectomy groups. Lateral sectionectomy was more frequent in the laparoscopic group (33/40 vs. 30/54, p = 0.010). Operation time (174.2 +/- 56.6 vs. 210.4 +/- 51.6 min, p = 0.002) and postoperative hospital stay (7.9 +/- 2.6 vs. 14.3 +/- 5.5 days, p < 0.001) were shorter in the laparoscopic group, and complication rate (17.5 vs. 40.7 %, p = 0.016), in particular surgical site infection rate (5.0 vs. 18.5 %, p = 0.052), was lower in the laparoscopic group than in the open hepatectomy group. Similar results were observed in the hemihepatectomy and lateral sectionectomy subgroups. There was no operation-related mortality. There were no significant differences in follow-up periods (48 +/- 33.6 vs. 59.2 +/- 41.7 months, p = 0.235) and rates of initial stone clearance (87.5 vs. 75.9 %, p = 0.159), final clearance (100 vs. 94.4 %, p = 0.130), and stone recurrence (2.5 vs. 5.6 %, p = 0.468). Conclusion Laparoscopic hepatectomy is safe and effective for well-selected patients with left IHD stones, when performed by experienced surgeons. Laparoscopic hepatectomy resulted in shorter operation time and postoperative hospital stay, and a lower postoperative morbidity rate, than open hepatectomy.